News

Hampshire County Council withdraws post-16 transport policy

On 27 May 2020 Hampshire County Council approved its new post-16 transport policy for the 2020-2021 academic year. The policy sought to narrow the circumstances in which transport is considered "necessary" for young people with disabilities and SEN, with the aim of saving £680k.

A letter before claim, threatening to judicially review the new policy, was sent to HCC on behalf of 4 young people likely to be negatively affected by the policy. The letter alleged several errors of law, ranging from an unlawful consultation to a failure to discharge the public sector equality duty.

On 16 June 2020 HCC responded to the letter, indicating that it would withdraw the new policy and that it intends to reconsider the matter on 8 July 2020.

Katherine Barnes advised on the matter, instructed by Alice Cullingworth at Irwin Mitchell.