§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will preserve the rights of those low-income pensioners who are currently entitled to tokens redeemable against community bus and taxi fares when he implements his proposals for half-price travel passes. [66821]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThere are no statutory rights, as such, to a particular kind of arrangement for concessionary travel. It is for each local authority to decide what concessions to arrange for its residents. Consultation on the introduction of the standard minimum scheme will consider the future arrangements for token schemes.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to compensate local authorities in whose area there is a disproportionate number of pensioners when he implements his proposal for half-price bus travel permits. [66820]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonLocal authority expenditure receives support from the Government by means of Revenue Support Grant. All aspects of our proposal for a national minimum standard for concessionary travel, including finance and the formula for the distribution of RSG, will be subject of consultation with local government and other relevant organisations.