Keir Starmer has now sparked further outrage after refusing to rule out scrapping free bus passes for pensioners in a bombshell move that could hit millions of retirees across the country.
In a fiery exchange this morning, the Labour leader dodged questions on whether he would keep the popular benefit, which gives OAPs across the UK free travel on local buses.
When asked if pensioners’ bus passes were safe under a future Labour government, Starmer danced around the issue, saying only that he would “review” all spending if elected.
The vague response has raised alarm bells, with critics accusing him of abandoning the very people who have contributed to Britain their entire lives. Some fear it could be the next step toward cutting vital benefits for the elderly.
The free bus pass scheme, introduced in 2008, has been a lifeline for millions of pensioners, allowing them to stay active and connected to their communities without the burden of rising travel costs. Currently, anyone over 66 in England, or 60 in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, is eligible for the pass.
For many OAPs, it’s more than just a way to get from A to B — it’s a vital link to social activities, medical appointments, and family. Scrapping the scheme could leave some feeling isolated and cut off from essential services.
Starmer, who has been trying to position himself as the champion of ordinary Britons, now faces a backlash over his refusal to guarantee pensioners’ free travel. Bus user groups and campaigners have already called on him to clarify his stance.
One angry pensioner told The Conservative Post: “This bus pass is our lifeline! I can’t believe Labour would even think about taking it away. Starmer needs to come clean and promise he won’t touch it. First the winter fuel payment and now this. Starmer needs to go.”
As the heat turns up, the Labour leader is under increasing pressure to make his position clear. For now, British pensioners remain in the dark over whether their beloved free bus rides will survive this Labour government.
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Editor@ConservativePost.co.uk
I have had to give up my car as I can no longer afford to run one. I’m 75 and rely on the state pension for income. Losing the fuel allowance will make it very tough this coming winter. I live in the country. If the free bus pass is also removed I will find it very difficult to attend the several hospital appintments I attend each year. Any suggestions to overcome this dilema would be most welcome.
So sorry to read this Reginald. If you message me personally on editor@conservativepost.co.uk I will try and help somehow. Kind Regards, Claire
Hi Reginald sorry to hear about your dilemma. I suppose regarding your hospital appointments you could ask for hospital transportation. I know this doesn’t help with any other concerns you have regarding getting out & about.
This Labour government won’t stop at nothing. He’ll bleed the pensioners dry, because pensioners are an easy target. Why he’s taking away the heating allowance & now thinking of the bus pass god only knows. When he’s giving money away right, left & centre on foreign aid, illegal immigrants, plus all these bone idle that are fit enough to work huge benefits. Get a grip Starmer or there will be a revolt. I can see this coming because the honest TAX PAYING PUBLIC. Have had enough LABLIERS spouting a load of lies.
Quite agree with every word, I worked till I was sixty, never claimed a penny in my life, brought up three children without one handout, now I am 80 you have taken the winter fuel away and if the bus passes will be stopped many elderly people will suffer, what sort of a person are you Starmer, for the people of Great Britain, I don’t think, for the people coming over on boats you are all for, give them millions, sod us. Words fail me.
Why not just. Line all pensioners up and bloody shot us not only do tgey want us to freeze to death or starve but they want us to be confined to are homes taking bus passes I am disabled and my husband has to travel with at all times this stinks ive paid full stamp all my working even while working park time absolute robbery
That man has already put the safety of pensioners in jeopardy by cutting the fuel payment, if he cuts the bus pass too. Pensioners will be left to rot. I will certainly give that man a vote of no confidence, if he continues to punish the old. I’m disgusted
I certainly agree with you this government is a joke this man needs to go along with his cronies there is not much more he take from pensioners except there lives and that for certain
It is time for all right thinking people to rise up and put an end to this authoritarian, incompetent, ruthless Bolshevik government led by Two Tier Kneeler.
Where is Lieutenant Colonel James Spencer Cleverly when he is needed to lead the military to save the nation and put an end to the national disgrace that it is enduring?
How about our £10 xmas box🤣has he forgotten about that or does he think that’s a step too far. If so he does have a heart after all!!
Just me being sarcastic
Does this Labour Government Want to see Pensioners suffer and die because I am afraid this is and I repeat (IS) going to happen, Do you think they care they have no concern for elderly persons, Most or all of these Pensioners have served in the armed forces and others have worked most of there lives on civvy Street, (ffs) give our elderly persons some “Humanity & Respect” Look at what these Asylum Seekers and Refugees have been given by Governments and what have they done and or brought into the UK, Absolutely Jack – S###, Yet this Government are just disrespecting there own elderly persons, ” Absolute Shame On You” Keir Starmer and your puppets on a string how just can you put your heads on your pillow and sleep soundly at night, When Pensioners do not know if the can feed and heat themselves, Now you are contemplating on taking free bus passes from them, Some or most of these Pensioners have to use public transport to go and get there daily and or weekly shopping, Some have got GP appointments and others have hospital appointments and (IF) They can’t make there appointments especially medical appointment which can be for some really medical ailments and this may affect them on life survival, But don’t worry because the Government are not bothering there backsides, All it shall be for them awe well at least we have done our job as some of these unfortunate pensioners have passed on so some more benefits saved, Honestly this is the way it is looking, This Government (HAS) Got Blood On Its Hands.
Shame On Them, Shame On Them 🤬😡
Leave the pensioners alone they have worked all there lives get nothing off the goverment it’s so sad
Disgusted with the Labour Government. He is punishing the pensioners again if he gets rid of bus passes.
Labour government obtained a huge majority but without the pensioners vote they have no chance of getting a second term . I am very angry and don’t know how they can sleep at night .
I have worked,all my Life, and paid full stamp, didn’t get my bus pass, till 66 . couldn’t afford bus fare,so had to walk to work. Now I have a bus pass , there want to ,take it away. Disgusting.
Having a Bus Pass helps a lot of people get out of the house,if this happens then they will be confined to staying indoors. Why is Keir Starmer picking on pensioners. Really sorry I voted for the Labour government. A lot of pensioners need to get to appointments and live in rural areas, what are they suppose to do then? Words can’t describe how I feel.
leave our bus passes alone elderly wont get out no more more bodies than world war 2
on your hands rishi never took our buses passes off us or johnson patricia 79
Thought Labour were for the working class, not any longer. They’re no better than the Conservatives, worse as they are attacking the pensioners and the vulnerable. As Mr J Smith says in earlier comment, SHAME on them.
Well I hope everybody that voted these liars into government are happy.
I cant believe how they are using pensioners to try and claw back a piddly little amount to try and fill the so called black hole. Letting prisoners out early, putting immigrants up in hotels, how’s about doing the same for our freezing pensioners. I could go on and on, it makes me so angry.
They’re not gong to save money by taking away our bus passes. If we can’t afford the bus fare we wont travel on the bus. The bus still runs with or without us. We can only use the bus pass in “off peak” hours. It’s not costing the country anything by allowing us to use the bus. What is he going to gain by this?
All I can say is he ought to be ashamed of himself ,punishing the pensioners by depriving them of winter fuel payments ,TV licenses,and now thinking of scrapping bus passes.Keir Starmer you have a lot to answer for with the people of the country .How can you justify your actions when you put immigrants in hotels ,letting prisoners out early ,are you completely out of your mind.Obviously you don’t give a dam.As long as you and the government are lining your pockets that seems all you care about
,always a labour voter,never again,cruel ,heartless and not the working class representing,I hope the unions change these evil acts,pensioners deserve better
I feel a greatly betrayed by this Labour goverment !!!
Us pensions deseverve much better,
I am so disappointed with our Prime Minster.
Let’s have another vote , you wouldn’t stand a chance. Please help the pensioners, don’t punish us anymore.
I think its shocking to even be thinking about this when they have given bus passes to teenage/ young adults
as far as I can see run a mock on the buses at every opportunity.
I have see this first hand you show me a pensioner that would carry on like that , take there bus passes away
Pensioners need their bus if only to get out and sit in a warm store to get the heat round them I have worked 51 years.in total a girl said to me because I paid into a pension which I am taxed on I will get everything and you will get nothing did my hard work pay off even so you need that extra money for food and heat the vulnerable always suffer but why
So glad I never voted labour
My 75 yr old husband with terminal prostrate cancer only gets govt pension under £900 per mth and goes on bus to hosp appointments. Cut our cold weather payments gone for ever. How would starmer and conservativr gang like to exist on that per mth paying all bills mthly plus ever increasing food bills. We voted lib dems. Starma is a vile slimy xxxxhead. I am 70 yrs old wife with crohns disease half my bowels gone in operation to save my life 20 years ago. My mum dementia into care so my sister and i plus our mum paid all the care home fees for 18 mths and she died in 2008. Today care home fees are extortionate. My husband and i cant ever afford them so we hope we die fast to never end up in such a place. No govt in uk care. That lot in our govt get richer by the day and the rest of us hardworking pensioners over the years paid our taxes and nhs contributions. We now get nowt. We were the backbone of the uk plus all those who fought in ww2 for our country us lot are not respected or appreciated one bit. This labour govt are the pits. Evil gits just out for themselves lining their own pockets at our expenses. I dont trust starma and his merry men and women at all. Slimy two faced gits they are.