STUDENT transport schemes across Taunton and Somerset have been hit by the Chancellor's Budget review cuts.

Somerset County Council will reduce the subsidy on student bus passes by £20, meaning students will now have to pay an additional £20 a year for their travel.

Students can currently buy a bus pass allowing them to travel on any bus for 12 months for £150. This figure will now rise to £170.

Subsidies for school buses have also been affected. Under the current system, pupils have their bus transport paid all the way to their school, but under the new system, transport will only be paid to the distance of the school nearest to the pupil's home.

This means that if a pupil goes to a school beyond the one closest to their home, their transport subsidy will not cover them for the entire journey.

Any distance between the nearest school to their home and the one they actually attend will have to be paid for by the pupil.

Are you the parent of a pupil affected by these cuts? Let us know your views or call our newsdesk on 01823 365100.