Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Hepburn and Alex Cunningham

Thursday 28th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab)]

4. What his policy is on the future of the bus service operators grant; and if he will make a statement.

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

13. What assessment he has made of the likely effects on socially excluded groups of the proposed reduction in bus service operators grant.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker)]

From 2012-13, the rate at which bus service operators grant is paid will be reduced by 20%. Our assessment is that this level of reduction will, overall, have a low impact on socially excluded groups. I spoke to the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, which represents the bus industry, following the Chancellor’s announcement on 20 October. It was hopeful that, in general, this reduction could be absorbed without fares having to rise.