To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities she expects not to receive sufficient additional funding to cover costs they have incurred in relation to the concessionary bus travel scheme. (111975)

The Government policy is not to ring fence grant unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Government have provided an overall increase in Government grant of £3.1 billion or 4.9 per cent. in 2007-08 for all local services including local authorities' responsibilities for concessionary travel schemes. This includes an additional £367 million for the recent improvement in the statutory minimum concessionary travel scheme. It is for local authorities to develop and implement affordable schemes with local bus providers which deliver effective concessionary travel to meet their statutory responsibilities, and also achieve the aims of those additional concessions which local people wish to see run in their areas.