With the cost of transport increasing Surrey County Council is not able to sustain the current level of transport support that it offers to pupils. In the current economic climate, the County Council needs to identify significant savings and to this end it is reviewing areas of discretionary spending.

As part of this review Surrey County Council has changed its Home to School Transport Policy so that from September 2012 transport to denominational schools will no longer be offered to new applicants, other than those who remain eligible by law.

The County Council is committed to ensuring that its services and its use of resources are fair and equitable to all its residents and this includes fair access to education. The withdrawal of free denominational transport will mean that all pupils will be treated equally, regardless of their religion or belief. This is arguably a fairer and more equitable policy, and it will release significant savings in transport over a period of time.

This matter was considered by Surrey County Council's Cabinet on 24 May 2011 and copies of the report and the minutes of the meeting are published on the website under Cabinet Committee papers.

Please see the home to school transport policy for details of the transport support that may be available to pupils.