In a resurrection that would impress Lazarus, David Blunkett has returned to education. He has been appointed by First Group to chair its Yellow School Bus Commission (YBC) which will look at the benefits of a US-style bus system for UK schools.

In making the announcement about Blunkett’s appointment, First also unveiled research it commissioned from parenting website Raisingkids.co.uk that looked at how parents take their children to school. Unsurprisingly the results ‘show’ that 86% of parents want a (wait for it) dedicated school bus system like that seen in the US!

While this report looks good for First, the existing research and arguments on both environmental and economic grounds are so compelling, it is one of the mysteries of our age as to why the government keep avoiding introducing such a programme.

While David Blunkett may have seen the light, it’s Ed Ball and Gordon Brown that need to be convinced - the disconnect for them at a personal level will be that no matter what the environmental or economic benefits, their own children will always be driven to school for security reasons.

Blunkett’s contributions to First’s press release show that the focus of the YBC won’t be on central government, but on local authorities and schools. Probably a good tactic for such an arch Blairite, who was replaced at the DfES by Brownite failure Ruth Kelly, who is now the Secretary of State for Transport.

www.firstgroup.com
www.raisingkids.co.uk