The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report calls for better local transport options to benefit communities and reduce costs.

Rachel Gilmour, member of the PAC, said: ‘We are glad that the Government is starting to heed our committee's warnings, stretching back through years of multiple inquiries, and are beginning to grasp the nettle that is the SEND emergency. But a problem this chronic and severe demands a response that does not leave any unanswered questions for children and families. Unfortunately, our inquiry has identified a number of glaring ones for home-to-school transport - a problematic system for parents on which Government spends multiple billions a year not covered by Government's recent announcements.'

The Government has announced plans to write off 90% of the historic deficit from overspending on SEND, which will amount to a cumulative £5bn+ by March '26, with SEND costs to be met from central departmental budgets from 2028-29.

The report notes, however, there are still unanswered questions on the plan for any deficits arising between now and 2028 and while the new funding arrangements will address SEND cost pressures for councils from 2028-29, they do not cover home-to-school transport costs.

The PAC report said families faced a ‘cliff edge' when children reached 16 with support at local authorities' discretion.

Council efforts to deliver these services are not keeping pace with growing demand, with spending increasing by 106% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2023-24 (currently around £2.5bn annually).

The report suggest a move to local bus franchising with councils in charge of routes, timetables and fares as a possible opportunity to replace expensive contracts with lower-cost alternatives, while safer walking and cycling routes to school could reduce reliance on home to school transport and offer benefits to the community as a whole.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘We are proud to have set out our once-in-a-generation reforms to the SEND system which will transform the lives of millions of young people.

‘Home to school transport costs have escalated sharply in recent years, driven mostly by the distances many children currently have to travel because local schools are not equipped to meet their needs. Our reforms will change that, putting the right support in schools so no child has to travel miles just to access the education they deserve.

 ‘Ahead of these reforms, we are already taking action to tackle rising costs by introducing a new national data collection so councils can benchmark spending, creating a bespoke funding formula to direct money where it is needed most, and working with to give councils better tools to improve routes serving schools. Taken together we are confident these measures will address the concerns the committee has raised.'