Today I am launching a petition, calling on Cumbria County Council and other Local Councils in Cumbria to work together with Government to support transport for 16+ year olds to access education and training affordably, sustainably and fairly. Sign HERE.

We currently have a system where 16–18-year-olds must continue education or training however the council is not required to provide transport for them. I’ve heard from young people across my constituency who are either being lumped with eye-watering travel bills or forced to limit their options and sadly take negative life-changing decisions. This clearly penalises those young folk living in rural areas.

It’s not fair and it must change.

The issue of post-16 transport is huge and is a real roadblock for young people. It is really disheartening that those young people who want to pursue courses that will open doors to their future career goals are being boxed into a corner.

Some pupils have felt that their careers are already being determined as they cannot access the courses they want to follow. We should not be asking these young people to be responsible for their own travel, including challenging driving for young drivers on our rural roads

I hope you will consider signing and help secure a brighter future for our young people.