Free bus passes are a lifeline for many pensioners who would otherwise struggle to get around.
Free bus passes are key for millions of pensioners (Image: Getty)
Pensioners have been warned they could lose their bus passes following Labour’s move to axe winter fuel payments.
Millions of state pensioners were left stunned after Labour axed winter fuel payments for millions of the elderly earlier this week.
This year, only about 1.5 million individuals will receive the payment, leaving approximately 10 million pensioners without the annual financial support of £100 to £300 for heating expenses, as they do not qualify for income-related benefits like Pension Credit.
The future now looks even bleaker for pensioners following a recent exchange in Parliament.
In a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Conservative MP Louie French slammed the reduction in Winter Fuel Payments as a “disgraceful political decision” and pressed the Prime Minister to “rule out scrapping concessionary travel fares and Council Tax discounts, which also help millions of pensioners across the UK”.
Yet, Sir Keir Starmer sidestepped, saying: “I am not going to pre-empt the Budget. It will all be set out in due course.”
Hints from both the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggest more austerity measures may be on the horizon.
The rumour mill is in overdrive with predictions that the upcoming Autumn Budget on October 30 could bring revisions to Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and allowances related to ISAs and personal savings.
The Telegraph suggests that Council Tax could be under review, but it remains uncertain how any alterations would impact Scottish residents as the banding is determined by the Scottish Government, reports the Daily Record.
Likewise, if modifications to concessionary travel are unveiled, they may not affect those in Scotland as the scheme is also established and managed under devolved powers.
The National Entitlement Card (NEC) offers access to numerous public services throughout Scotland and grants free bus travel across the nation to elderly and disabled individuals. It also provides fare reductions on train, Subway and ferry journeys through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme.
For those aged 60 or over, the card does not have an expiration date and is valid for life, provided you continue to reside in Scotland. However, for others – including disabled individuals – it may only be valid for up to three years.
In contrast, the English national concessionary travel scheme offers free local bus travel to eligible older and disabled people, but only on bus services within England.
