Free bus schemes hit by cuts

Bus services in Exeter are among those that will benefit in the shake-up

Many councils face cuts in the money they get to help cover the cost of free bus travel for pensioners.

Figures show that seven authorities in the south west will lose out from next year in a government review.

Some councils are warning that they will have to cut council services if the proposals are agreed.

The National Bus Pass entitles pensioners and those with disabilities free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England.

It's pretty much a financial disaster. Alan Connett Teignbridge Council

Before the pass was introduced local authorities warned that as they would have to pick up part of the bill they would have to face tough choices between spending cuts elsewhere or council tax rises.

Grant formula

Now the government is proposing a change in how it will distribute £223m in grants to local authorities in the south west next year.

Only two councils in the region will benefit under the new proposals, five will have their budgets frozen and seven could have the amount they receive cut in half.

Teignbridge Council will lose £270,000 in government bus grant.

Teignbridge District Council is one of the authorities that will lose out. It will lose 50 per cent of its funding.

Council leader Alan Connett tells the Politics Show South West: "It's pretty much a financial disaster.

"The government is taking £270,000 away from Teignbridge next year. That would be the equivalent to a four per cent increase in council tax."

Delegation

Exeter City Council is one of the councils which stands to receive more money. It will get an extra £680,000 and Torbay an additional £590,000.

I'm delighted the government has listened. Ben Bradshaw MP

The authorities that will have their grant frozen include Weymouth and Portland, East Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth.

Those facing cuts include West Dorset, Mid Devon and Torridge.

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw led a delegation calling for more money for Exeter City Council. He told the Politics Show: "I'm delighted the government has listened to our representations.

"The government has come up with more money than Exeter expected."

Councils have until the end of December to make representations. The Department for Transport plans to publish the final grant distribution figures in the New Year.

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