Blow to pensioners as Keir Starmer refuses to rule out scrapping free bus pass

During Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon, Conservative MP Louie French asked what other pensioner benefits are on the chopping block following the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment.

He said: "Following Labour's disgraceful political decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments with little notice to millions of pensioners, will the Prime Minister today rule out scrapping concessionary travel fares and council tax discounts which also help millions of pensioners across the UK? Yes or no?"

In response, Starmer said: "As he knows very well, I am not going to preempt the Budget. It will all be set out in due course."

Yesterday, Labour ministers were also cagey over the fate of travel concessions for pensioners.

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In the House of Commons, Treasury minister James Murray refused to confirm whether benefits, such as the free bus pass for older Britons, will remain in place.

Conservative MP Kit Malthouse asked the minister about the likely fate of the various discounts available to older people when travelling the UK.

He said: “Yesterday in the other place, the Transport Minister cast doubt on the continuation of travel concessions for pensioners.

"This has caused significant alarm in my constituency and others. Notwithstanding the discussion we’re having today, could you just reassure us that travel concessions for pensioners will continue under a Labour Government?”

As it stands, the Autumn Budget is set to be announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on October 30.

In response, Murray told MPs to wait until Rachel Reeves' statement next month. He said: "The Chancellor will take all decisions.”

"Let me make one really important point to (Mr Malthouse) as we approach the budget on October 30, we know there are going to be difficult decisions that we have to take in the budget on October 30.

"Frankly, that is the direct consequence of the decisions taken by him and his colleagues when they were in Government.”

Concerns over the removal of vital pensioner support come after the Government voted to means-test the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for older households.

Going forward, elderly Britons will now need to be in receipt of Pension Credit to access the energy bill benefit.

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Pension Credit is a top-up benefit payment administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

It is exclusively for those of state pension who also have a low income or savings below a certain threshold.

With the previously universal Winter Fuel Allowance now being made exclusive to this group, anxiety among pensioners over the future of other freebie benefits is on the rise.

GB News has contacted the Treasury for comment.