To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of subsidy support for concessionary fares schemes, under the national scheme, that local transport authorities will have to bear from their own budgets; and if he will make a statement. (110937)

From April 2008, persons 60 and over, and disabled people, will be guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England. The Government have earmarked up to an extra £250 million per year which for this, and is confident that this should be sufficient to cover the total additional cost to local authorities.

Local authorities have, and will retain, the discretion to offer (and fund from their own resources) enhancements to the statutory minimum, such as peak bus travel and/or concessions on other modes.