New funding aimed at ensuring pupils arrive at school or college “safely” and “on time” has been announced by the government today.

Over £27 million will be added to a fund of £40 million given to local transport authorities so that pupils can travel to and from school safely during the pandemic.

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Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “We are providing new funding of over £27 million to local transport authorities for additional school and college transport, on top of more than £40 million provided just six weeks ago, because while the pandemic continues we must not allow anything to disrupt children and young people’s return to education.

“I am grateful to the thousands of students and staff who have chosen to find alternative modes of transport over this half term and are playing their part to ensure everyone is able to get to school or college safely and on time.

“I know that working together, we will continue the progress made by schools, colleges, teachers and families in getting the overwhelming majority of schools and colleges open, and students seeing all the benefits of being back in their classroom.”

In September, teaching unions called for face coverings to be made compulsory on school buses amid concerns over rising coronavirus case numbers.

Government guidance states that pupils aged 11 and over should be wearing a face covering on school transport.