Children across Stockport and Greater Manchester living in temporary housing are now eligible for free bus travel.

As of 1 September, any youngster who has been placed in temporary accommodation will be able to travel on Bee Network buses for free.

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig announced the scheme on her first day in office, saying it will reduce disruption for children who face long commutes to school.

She also said it will mean children can stay at their existing school, even if they have to relocate to temporary housing elsewhere in the city region.

Families living in temporary accommodation will be assessed for eligibility, and then issued with passes by their local council.

A family is eligible if they live more than two miles from their school or if their route is considered unsafe to walk.

Ms Craig said: "I believe everyone deserves a safe home they can afford. Across our region, too many people face the risk of homelessness.

"As Mayor, I'm committed to reducing the number of families stuck in temporary housing, including by building 50,000 council and genuinely affordable homes.

"We know that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation. That's why I've also promised to reduce the prevalence of out-of-borough placements to keep families in their communities.

"But we need to help families facing homelessness now, when they need it most. That's why I backed the Manchester Evening News campaign to give children living in temporary accommodation free travel to and from school on Bee Network buses and I'm pleased that, as Mayor, we are making it a reality – to make life that little bit easier in difficult times."

Sam Pratt, Policy and Communications Lead at Shared Health Foundation, a charity which supports homeless families in Greater Manchester, said: "We are really pleased to finally see bus passes will be provided for homeless children living in temporary accommodation. Even more significant is that their parent or carer will be offered support while accompanying them to school too.

"For children already facing the uncertainty and disruption that comes with living in temporary accommodation, ensuring they have the cost covered to travel to school will ease the burden of being homeless."

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