Labour minister slapped down after mistakenly saying the Government were no longer committed to free bus passes for pensioners
Labour was forced to slap down a Lords minister after he failed to rule out scrapping free travel passes for pensioners yesterday.
Labour was forced to slap down a Lords minister after he failed to rule out scrapping free travel passes for pensioners yesterday.
Transport minister Lord Hendy is said to have misspoke when he declined to commit to keeping the National Bus Pass and the London Freedom Pass.
He was asked by Tory peer Lord Moylan whether he could give an unshakeable commitment to older people who have already been told they will lose their winter fuel payment.
But Lord Hendy dodged the question, only stating we would all hope that it continues into the future.
A Department for Transport spokesman quickly insisted: Ive seen this - can confirm he misspoke and should have said we are committed to it - absolutely no plans to get rid of it.
Transport minister Lord Hendy (pictured) is said to have misspoke when he declined to commit to keeping the National Bus Pass and the London Freedom Pass
A Department for Transport spokesman quickly insisted: Ive seen this - can confirm he misspoke and should have said we are committed to it - absolutely no plans to get rid of it (stock image)
A Freedom Pass for people over the age of 66 is currently not means tested
Lord Moylan said to peers: The minister is right to emphasise the importance of bus services but I would say particularly for the elderly.
In that light, and given the Governments rather cavalier attitude to pensioners that weve seen on display, can he give an unshakeable commitment that the Government is going to maintain the national bus pass and also the statutory freedom pass scheme in London?
Or is there the possibility they too will find themselves subject to means testing?
Lord Hendy responded: Hes attempting to put me in the invidious position for a concrete commitment for all of time.
The freedom pass and the national scheme for free transport for pensioners has lasted a very long time and I think we would all hope that it continues into the future.
The Government is not in a good position with the state of the public finances.
But we will bear his enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of many other people for free travel for elderly people on buses in mind as we move forward with our commitments for the bus service.
