England state pensioners hammer blow as Labour confirms free bus pass new delay

The Department for Transport has confirmed people will have to wait an extra year to get a free bus pass in England from next April. A massive campaign has been running to try to get the same concessionary travel in England as people get in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - free bus travel from the age of 60.

In England, unless their local authority has decided to fund the provision itself - such as in London and on Merseyside, people only get free travel from the age of 66, when they get their state pension. Today the Department for Transport confirmed that from next April people will have to wait another year in England to get their free pass.

The State Pension age is set to start its increase from 66 to 67 next year, with the rise expected to be fully in place for all men and women across the UK by 2028. This planned adjustment to the official retirement age has been on the books since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 slated to occur between 2044 and 2046.

The Pensions Act 2014 brought forward the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK Government also tweaked the phasing of the State Pension age increase, meaning that instead of reaching State Pension age on a specific date, individuals born between 6 March 1961, and 5 April 1977, will be eligible to claim the State Pension once they turn 67 - and the same will apply to their concessionary bus passes.

The DfT confirmed to the Express this would apply to concessionary bus passes too. A spokesperson said: ""We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel.

"We're already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for all passengers and supporting local areas to improve reliability and affordability."

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age (as per the Pension Act 2014), between 9.30am and 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

The State Pension age will increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, as set out in the State Pension Act 2014. The DfT added: "Local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by lowering the age of eligibility. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area."

le are entitled to free bus travel in England when they reach the state pension age, which is currently 66 but will rise from next year. A huge petition on the Parliament website calling for free bus travel for over 60s in England reached more than 100.000 signatures - and is currently awaiting a debate date in parliament which could put pressure on the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander to consider changes.

The petition, which can be seen here says: "We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.

"Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."

The DfT did respond to the petition, saying that money had been made available to local authorities and they could use it to fund free travel from the age of 60. The DfT said: "The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.

"At the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.

"Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate."