Free off-peak bus travel for pensioners and disabled travellers is being extended so they can travel anywhere in England using a single pass. But some councils believe the £1bn the government has made available for funding may not be enough.
The cost of NHS prescriptions in Scotland has been cut by almost £2. The reduction, from £6.85 to £5, is the first of several price drops, which will result in free prescriptions for all in 2011.
Two women in their 60s are to embark on a 700-mile journey across England using free bus passes to get them around. Manju Ghosh, 60, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, and her friend, 66-year-old Christine Jackson, from Sheffield, will begin their trip on Tuesday.
Free off-peak bus travel for over-60s and disabled travellers is being extended so they can travel anywhere in England using a single pass. Up to 11m people will benefit from the new National Travel Pass smart cards. But an MPs' report has warned many buses may not be equipped to read them.
Responding to the news that the Government is considering personal NHS budgets, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:
The Liberal Democrats force a parliamentary debate on the concessionary bus fares scheme.
