Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has received on the BUSK campaign for safe coach transport in relation to coach tour companies being contracted for long-distance school trips.

I am aware of the BUSK campaign for safe coach transport. The safety of children and young people is of the utmost importance. All school employers must adhere to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They must conduct a risk assessment and put measures in place to minimise any known risk. Where schools use a coach tour company to provide transport for their trip, we expect them to apply sensible and proportionate health and safety measures to assess the company’s suitability.