Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local authorities on the variances in the eligibility criteria for disabled bus passes.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six.

The disabled eligibility criteria are set out in section 146 of the Transport Act 2000. To support local authorities, the Department maintains guidance on assessing the eligibility of disabled applicants, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-forlocal-authorities-on-eligibility-for-disabled-people. However, local authorities are responsible for administering disabled concessionary bus passes and the Department plays no role in the assessment of applications.