Campaigners say it’s ‘unfair’ individuals in England do not get the move at 60 – as these in Scotland, Wales and NI do
An replace has been given to campaigners pushing for all individuals over the age of 60 in England to be given free bus passes – like their counterparts in Scotland, Northern Eire and Wales. A petition on the parliament web site on the difficulty has seen huge backing with greater than 100,000 individuals signing as much as it.
This implies the Division for Transport should face MPs in parliament and defend its place – and reply potential funding questions. A date has not but been set for the talk.
This week the DfT gave an official response on the topic, which is gathering assist, when an MP obtained a response to a written query. Liberal Democrat Dr Al Pinkerton requested Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander: “What evaluation her Division has fabricated from the potential deserves of extending free bus move eligibility to individuals aged over 60 in Surrey Heath constituency.”
Parliamentary Beneath-Secretary (Division for Transport) Simon Lightwood replied that any nationwide change would have a big monetary implication – however native authorities have been allotted cash this monetary 12 months which they may use.
He mentioned: “The English Nationwide Concessionary Journey Scheme (ENCTS) gives free off-peak bus journey to these with eligible disabilities and people of state pension age, presently sixty-six. The ENCTS prices round £700 million yearly and any modifications to the statutory obligations, corresponding to decreasing the age of eligibility, would due to this fact should be rigorously thought of for its impression on the scheme’s monetary sustainability.
“Nonetheless, native authorities in England have the facility to supply concessions along with their statutory obligations, corresponding to decreasing the age of eligibility. Further native concessions are supplied and funded by native authorities from native assets.
“The Authorities has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 monetary 12 months to assist and enhance bus providers in England exterior London. This contains £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allotted to native authorities throughout the nation. Surrey County Council has been allotted £12.1 million of this funding. Funding allotted to native authorities to enhance providers for passengers can be utilized in whichever manner they need. This might embrace extending the discretionary concessions accessible.”
Presently money strapped councils in England have been advised by the federal government that it’s as much as them to fund the concession in the event that they determine it’s a precedence. Which means it’s solely accessible in areas like Merseyside and London.
Nonetheless, in Wales, Scotland and Northern Eire the devolved governments have determined to make sure individuals get the passes at 60, moderately than 66, as most get it in England. The petition on the Parliament web site says: “We name on the Authorities to increase free bus journey to all individuals over 60 years previous in England exterior London. We consider the present state of affairs is unjust and we would like equality for everybody over 60.
“Presently, individuals in England who don’t stay in London are usually not entitled to free bus journey till they attain the state pension age, which we consider has modified dramatically. As individuals become old some over 60s drive much less and fewer, due to this fact we consider we’d like equality on public transport. It might imply England had the identical provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire.”
To learn the complete intensive DfT response and signal the petition, and examine for any updates on a debate click on right here.
