Prime Minister announces free 24 hour travel for disabled bus pass holders across England from next year

Disabled people in England will be able to use the bus for free at all hours from next year, the government has announced.

Currently, disabled bus pass holders can travel for free on weekdays between 9.30am and 11pm, or at any time at the weekend and on bank holidays.

The move, made in a bid to ease cost-of-living pressures, will come into force on April 1.

It is believed about one million people could benefit from the change.

The £60 million scheme will be funded by £40 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and £20 million from the Department for Transport , the government said.

A woman in a wheelchair on board a bus Getty The Disabled Person's Freedom Pass already gives eligible London residents free travel 24 hours a day on most public transport across London - including the Tube, buses, DLR, London Overground, and trams.

Mr Burnham has announced several moves aimed at tackling the rising cost of living since becoming Prime Minister last month, including cutting business rates for pubs, capping bus fares at £2 and axing VAT from electricity bills.

Disability charity Scope has said the move would "remove barriers to everyday life", while disabled-led charity Transport for All , called it a "real win for disabled people" and "very welcome news".

James Barber, from Transport for All, said it would help to put an end to "the confusing and unjust postcode lottery caused by different rules in different areas".

Mr Burnham said: “Buses are a lifeline for so many people – making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare.

“It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.

“I did it before in Greater Manchester and I’m proud to do it now for the whole country. This is part of our ongoing action to bring back hope and give people some much-needed breathing space on the cost of living.”

Work and Pensions minister Lilian Greenwood MP added that the change was an "indefinite commitment" rather than a short-term policy, and that the government would look at how to fund this in following years during spending reviews.

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