Children in England to be offered free bus trips this August
- company Marks & Spencer
- location England
- location West of England
- person Dan Tomlinson
- person Helen Godwin
- person Keir Starmer
- person Rachel Reeves
- person Stuart Machin
The UK government will offer free local bus travel to children in England this August as part of a £100m scheme, while also suspending tariffs on over 100 food items, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce [1][2].
Children aged five to 15 will travel for free on participating local buses throughout August [1][2]. The government estimates the initiative could save a family with two children who make a weekly return trip approximately £27, based on an estimated fare of £1.50 per trip [2]. Eligible children can take unlimited trips without needing to register [2].
In a separate cost-of-living measure, the government will suspend tariffs—import taxes paid by companies—on more than 100 everyday food products, including biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts [1][2]. The full list of affected items will be published next week [2]. The announcement comes as food prices rose by 3.3% in April compared to the same month last year [2].
A third measure will see a 5p cut on fuel duty extended until the end of the year, rather than being phased out in September as previously planned [1]. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the combined policies were aimed at "putting money back into people's pockets" [2]. The bus scheme mirrors a trial in the West of England, which the region's Labour mayor said had facilitated around 1.4 million free journeys [2].