Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has any plans to review the statutory minimum provision within the English National Concessionary Travel scheme to support disabled and elderly residents to safely and equitably access services and activities within their communities; and whether she has any plans to extend the scheme to include companion travel.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £795 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel times, would need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

However, local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, including funding companion passes locally. In the year ending March 2026, 66% of local authorities are offering companion passes to disabled people as a discretionary concession. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.

The Government is investing in bus services long-term and has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across the country to improve bus services over the remainder of the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year.

Hampshire County Council will be allocated £45 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £14.2 million they are already receiving this year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, including funding discretionary concessions.