Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to provide adequate bus services to allow people to access early years education.

The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services. Local authorities are responsible for assessing and meeting the transport needs of their communities, including ensuring that people can access education and other essential services such as early years provision.

The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Oxfordshire County Council will be allocated £25.3 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £10.1 million they are already receiving this year.

Funding allocated to local authorities can be used to improve services for passengers, including by expanding services and improving reliability to better help access to facilities such as early years education. The Department expects local authorities to consider access to early years education when planning and supporting local bus services.