Transport Secretary visits Halifax
Conservative Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has dismissed introducing means testing for bus passes during a visit to Halifax. Mr McLoughlin was in town to support the Conservative candidate Philip Allott and was given a bus tour of the town.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have said they would remove some benefits from better-off pensioners.
But Mr McLoughlin said he was opposed to the idea.
“I don’t think it creates that much money. I think the amount of money that you spend by means testing it would not serve us well,” he said.
“We’ve got to give pensioners a fair deal. Gordon Brown increased the pension one year by 75p.
“We’ve ruled out doing that and we have a triple lock on pensions - it’s either a 2.5 per cent increase or the cost of wages or price rises - whichever is the higher of those three we will give pensioners.
“I don’t think we should start taking benefits away from pensioners, they’ve paid into the system over many years.”
Mr McLoughlin insisted his party had supported all forms of transport but wouldn’t be drawn on any further investment into local bus services.
“That is mainly up to the local authorities,” he said, “but you’ve got to look across the whole piece.
“For the motorist we’ve got rid of the fuel escalator which Labour want to bring back.
“We’ve looked at the rail passenger and given them a fair deal but we’ve also looked at the motorist and given them a fair deal.”
Mr McLoughlin backed Mr Allott for the Halifax seat.
“Philip has got long experience of service in the area and that’s why I’m backing him,” he said.
“I think he’d make an excellent Member of Parliament for Halifax.
“It needs a strong voice.”