Controversial changes to home-to-school transport in North Yorkshire will be debated in Parliament next week after Harrogate’s MP lobbied on behalf of anxious parents.

Tom Gordon MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has secured a Westminster Hall debate for next Thursday, June 4, over the impact of the situation on families across North Yorkshire and the growing concerns raised by parents, carers, and schools about accessibility, eligibility, and affordability.

“I have secured this debate because too many families in Harrogate and Knaresborough, and North Yorkshire, are being affected by changes to school transport,” he said.

"Their experiences matter, and they deserve to be heard at the highest level."

Bus policy controversy - North Yorkshire Council first introduced the new home-to-school travel policy in 2024 in order, it says, to be “fair to all families, responsible and affordable”. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Bus policy controversy - North Yorkshire Council first introduced the new home-to-school travel policy in 2024 in order, it says, to be “fair to all families, responsible and affordable”. (Picture contributed)

North Yorkshire Council first introduced the new home-to-school travel policy in September 2024 in order, it says, to be “fair to all families, responsible and affordable”.

In addition, North Yorkshire Council said the aim, as one of the highest spending local authorities in the country on home to school transport, was to reduce the £52.5m annual bill for the service.

From the very beginning, parents and campaigners have called for the new policy to be reversed, something councillors voted against in May 2025.

Tom Gordon MP said the new rules had left families in rural villages like Killinghall and Hampsthwaite “stranded and struggling to get their children to school.”

“I have been contacted by a significant number of constituents who have outlined how these changes are affecting their children’s ability to get to school safely and on time, and the strain it is placing on family budgets,” he said.

“The Parliamentary debate will be an opportunity to push for a system that works for families, not against them.

”I hope colleagues from across North Yorkshire will attend and contribute constructively to the discussion."

Speaking when the changes were first announced, Amanda Fielding, assistant director for inclusion at North Yorkshire Council, said: "If we do nothing, the rising cost of home to school travel could have a crippling effect on the other services we must deliver by law."

The council has pledged to launch a review of the policy this year.