Despite fears the concessionary bus pass scheme for pensioners would be scrapped amid changes to the Winter Fuel Payment, the Department for Transport confirmed it will not axe the scheme.

Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that the Government has “absolutely no plans” to withdraw the scheme when Conservative MP Graham Stuart asked if there were plans to continue to fund the pass.

Lightwood said: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus…