Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson spoke up during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons to praise an Alston headteacher.
Dr Hudson paid tribute to the “amazing” Alston Moor Federation headteacher Gill Jackson, who worked with him to secure a dedicated bus service for her students.
Dr Hudson has actively campaigned over many months for affordable, sustainable post-16 transport for all.
He was “delighted” when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to his comments, with the PM publicly congratulating Mrs Jackson on her achievements and wishing her well in her upcoming retirement.
Currently, 16-18-year-olds must continue education or training, however there is no requirement for hard-pressed public authorities to provide transport for them.
“This leaves certain young folk across the country forced to choose between eye-watering travel bills or taking a negative life-changing decision,” said a spokesman for Dr Hudson.
“As a result, the Prime Minister congratulated Dr Hudson on his achievements and granted him a meeting with the relevant minister to make progress on this important issue.
“Locally, those achievements include securing huge amounts of funding so that those across Dr Hudson’s rural constituency can make the next positive step in their life by reaching apprenticeships, colleges and sixth forms. This included a bespoke bursary scheme for 16-18-year-olds, who are impeded in reaching training or education by Cumbria’s unique geography, and a bus service implemented to maintain adequate access to land-based education operated by Ullswater Community College, Penrith and Myerscough College.”
One particular high point was when Dr Hudson officially unveiled a new bus service to get young people from Alston Moor who live 20 miles from their nearest college.
This was in no small part thanks to Gill Jackson, who Dr Hudson paid tribute to in the House of Commons Chamber at Prime Minister’s Questions. Mrs Jackson is retiring this Christmas break and Dr Hudson praised her impact.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson said: “For too long, post-16 transport has been a real roadblock in the outcomes for young people. I have been clear and consistent that this must change, and having secured a meeting with the relevant ministerial team, I am optimistic progress is coming. We simply cannot accept a situation where children are forced to make negative life-changing decisions as a result of limited transport access and am confident we can unlock growth and level up the whole country by remedying this.
“I thank the Prime Minister for echoing my congratulations to Gill Jackson for her hard work and wishing her well in retirement.
“Gill is a true community champion who has given so much to improve the lives of so many young people and their families throughout Alston Moor.
“It was an honour to be able to pay tribute to her in the House of Commons at PMQs.”
