Norfolk commissioned just 0.1% more school transport seats in two years as costs rose, MP Steff Aquarone says. Post-16 fees could rise from £660 to £1,050.
Norfolk County Council is paying for almost exactly the same number of school transport seats as it did two years ago, according to figures obtained from the council by North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone, who says County Hall should explain why the bill keeps rising before it asks Westminster for more money.
The council runs school transport for every eligible child in the county, Broadland and the Broads villages included, and it is also consulting on raising what families pay for subsidised post-16 transport from £660 a year to £1,050 by 2028/29, an extra £390 a year if the proposal goes ahead.
What the figures show
Between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 academic years, the figures obtained by Mr Aquarone’s office show:
- Overall commissioned transport seats rose by just 0.1%.
- SEND transport seats rose by 12.8%, an extra 549 seats.
- Mainstream transport seats fell by 3.8%, 531 fewer seats.
In other words, for almost every SEND seat added, a mainstream seat has gone. The total the council commissions has barely moved, while it says the cost of providing the service is becoming increasingly hard to afford.
His office says that when it asked the council for historical figures on vehicle numbers, operating capacity and journey times, the council was unable to supply the comparisons. That, it says, leaves open what is pushing costs up and whether the council’s contracts are giving value for money.
Figures published by the Department for Education and linked by the House of Commons Library put Norfolk’s reported school and post-16 transport spending at about £72.8 million in 2024/25.
“Show us what’s running up the meter”
The council, which Reform runs, recently called on Norfolk’s MPs to help secure more Government funding. Mr Aquarone said that was not enough on its own.
“Reform can’t spend its time solely pointing fingers at Westminster while families are left picking up the pieces,” he said.
“If the number of seats has barely changed but the bill is rising, don’t just send Westminster the invoice. Show us what’s running up the meter.
“We know SEND transport can cost more, but that makes it even more important for the council to explain where the money is going, what has changed and what it’s doing to manage those costs.
“Government funding matters, and I’ll continue fighting for North Norfolk every day. But Reform runs County Hall. It can’t dodge responsibility for the decisions it makes.”
What the MP is asking for
He wants the council to publish a clear breakdown of what is driving transport costs, including changes in contract prices, vehicle requirements, journey lengths and specialist provision. He is also asking it to explain how it is securing value for money, planning for changing SEND demand and protecting families from rising charges.
His office says it has heard from North Norfolk families about unsuitable arrangements, trouble getting transport at all and very long journeys. In rural areas, it says, where there is often no other way to get to school, poor transport can leave children struggling to reach their education and put more pressure on parents’ work and caring.
It also points to the closure of Corpusty Primary School’s village site. Mr Aquarone opposed the closure and raised it with ministers, and the academy trust’s own consultation recognised that affected pupils would need free transport.
“Families deserve better than excuses and yet another rising bill through the letterbox,” he said.
“Reform asked for the keys to County Hall. Now it must show it can do the job.
“Every child deserves to get to school safely and reliably, wherever they live and whatever their needs. That is a basic responsibility, not an optional extra.”
Norfolk County Council has a legal duty to provide suitable transport for eligible children.
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