The Labour Party Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is set to introduce free bus passes for children across England as part of an extensive Cost of Living relief plan. Announced ahead of her House of Commons statement on Thursday, the initiative includes free summer bus rides for children aged 15 and under during August, known as the “Great British Summer Savings Scheme.”
Under the new plan, any child born after 2011 will be eligible to ride buses free of charge. Currently, free bus passes in England are primarily available to state pensioners, typically those over 60, depending on local council regulations.
“My number one priority is protecting households from rising costs," Reeves stated. “This summer I want every family to be able to enjoy themselves. That’s why we’re launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, including free bus travel for children throughout August.”
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also outlined supportive measures, including a 12-month vehicle tax holiday for hauliers and an extension of the fuel duty freeze for the remainder of the year to help keep prices down.
Despite these efforts, some experts have voiced concerns about the distribution of benefits. Jonathan Marshall, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, noted that low-income families, who remain financially strained from previous energy price shocks, may still face difficulties. He observed, “The support announced today will primarily benefit those who are better off, with the richest fifth of households gaining more than twice as much as the poorest fifth,” emphasizing the ongoing challenges for vulnerable households amid rising food and energy costs.