BOROUGH education boss Dave Harling Executive has accused Darwen MP Jake Berry of “scaremongering” over a consultation that could see subsidies for pupils’ bus fares to faith schools outside the town scrapped.
He hit back at the Tory backbencher in advance of the MP meeting town hall officials on the issue.
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Mr Berry has claimed the daily cost of tickets to classes at St Bede’s Roman Catholic High and other RC state schools in Blackburn could rise to £4.50 a day under the review.
He said: “I’ve written to the council asking them to make sure that they take into consideration how hard this could hit local families and I’m meeting with council bosses.”
Labour’s Councillor Harling, Blackburn with Darwen’s executive member for education, said “Mr Berry’s comments are disappointing as he does appear to be scaremongering.
“The council is still discussing and consulting on a range of different options that will affect the cost of school transport but we are working with local schools to minimise the impact for parents.” Both Blackburn with Darwen borough and Lancashire County councils are looking at ending subsidies for fares to faith schools further away than the nearest non-faith alternative.
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