Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional funding they intend to provide to bus and coach operators to ensure that COVID-19 (1) safety, and (2) additional capacity, requirements are in place when schools return in September; and when they plan to announce their funding decisions for such provision.

The return of pupils to education settings in September will be a considerable challenge for public transport capacity while maintaining social distancing. The Department is working with the Department for Education as a matter of urgency to explore options to increase capacity to ensure students can get to school or college in September.

Solutions must be locally-led with authorities working closely with transport operators, and the Government will do what we can to support local authorities. The Government is therefore supporting local authorities with travel demand management, and we will continue to provide financial support for bus services in September in order to boost the amount of local transport capacity available.