Brighton and Hove Council is spending huge sums of money on providing transport for hundreds of youngsters from home to school.

Now the authority is trying to reduce the bill, there are naturally protests from many of the parents affected.

In some cases, where highly vulnerable children are involved, it is clearly essential that this transport should continue to be provided. But in others, economies can and must be made to cut the cost.

Assessments must be made in every case to see whether the free transport currently being given really is necessary.

The alternative is stark. It means making cuts in the education and care children actually receive at school.