§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the estimated cost is to his Department of supporting the half-fare concession bus pass in 2002–03; [50027]
(2) what estimate has been made of the cost of providing concessionary travel for men aged 60 to 64; [50028]
(3) what estimate has been made of the cost of providing a free transport concession to all pensioners. [50029]
§ Ms KeebleGovernment support for local authorities' concessionary fares scheme is met through general grant. The Local Government Finance Settlement 2002–03 increased general grant in the current financial year by 5 per cent. on a like for like basis. Local authorities are responsible for decisions on their spending priorities bearing in mind their statutory responsibilities and the wishes of their electorate.
Estimated total expenditure on concessionary travel schemes on all transport modes in England is about £504 million. Of this we estimate that some £443 million is for travel for pensioners and disabled people on local bus services, including schemes that are more generous than the statutory half-fare requirement. We have no separate figures for the cost of half-fare travel on buses.
It is estimated that the additional cost of providing concessionary travel for men aged 60–64 on all modes will be £50 million per year.
We have no estimate for the cost of providing free transport for pensioners. However we estimate that the additional cost of providing free travel on local bus services for pensioners and disabled people would be in the order of £300 million per year.