Latest news with #GuyOpperman
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Calls for major free bus travel change for older people across UK
A new petition is calling for the concession cards to be used throughout the UK A new online campaign is gaining traction, demanding a revamp of the concessionary bus travel scheme to allow pensioners to travel across the UK without charge. Currently, National Entitlement Cards are given to those over State Pension age in England and Wales, while people in Scotland can get their hands on one from 60 years old. Campaigner Hillary Shaw has voiced concerns that older people living on the cusp of UK regions are getting a raw deal, pointing out that since bus services run across Scotland, England and Wales, it would be 'easier and fairer' if the concession card covered the whole journey. Last year, whispers surfaced that existing UK Government laws might pave the way for concessionary bus pass holders to enjoy UK-wide travel in times to come. Back then, Guy Opperman, who was serving as Minister for Roads and Local Transport, made it clear there were no immediate intentions to "introduce such an arrangement", as reported by the Daily Record. The 'Negotiate UK-wide recognition of older person's bus passes' petition has been posted on the official UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and states: 'I think senior citizens living close to the English, Scottish and Welsh borders are disadvantaged in how many local bus services they can use. 'Bus services run across borders and I think it would be easier and fairer if the bus pass covered the whole journey, and return, on all of these services. I think it would be fairer for all if these passes could simply be used on any bus service in the UK. This could increase pensioner independence and travel opportunities, especially for those living in border areas." Once the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the UK Government will be required to provide a written response, likely from the Department for Transport. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can view it online here.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
New call to give older people free bus travel between all UK nations
The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 includes a power to allow for mutual recognition of bus passes across the UK. How to apply for a Blue Badge A new online petition is calling for a change to the nationwide concessionary bus travel scheme to enable every older person to travel between all regions of the UK for free. At present, National Entitlement Cards are issued to people over State Pension age living in England and Wales, but available to those aged over 60 in Scotland. Petition creator Hillary Shaw argues that older people living near the borders of UK regions are 'disadvantaged' and that as bus services run across Scotland, England and Wales, it would be 'easier and fairer' if the concession card covered the whole journey. It emerged last year that existing UK Government legislation could make it possible to allow people with a concessionary bus pass to travel throughout the UK - in the future. At the time, the then Minister for Roads and Local Transport Guy Opperman, said there were no present plans to 'introduce such an arrangement'. The 'Negotiate UK-wide recognition of older person's bus passes' petition has been posted on the official UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and states: 'I think senior citizens living close to the English, Scottish and Welsh borders are disadvantaged in how many local bus services they can use. 'Bus services run across borders and I think it would be easier and fairer if the bus pass covered the whole journey, and return, on all of these services. 'I think it would be fairer for all if these passes could simply be used on any bus service in the UK. This could increase pensioner independence and travel opportunities, especially for those living in border areas.' At 10,000 signatures of support, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, most-likely the Department for Transport. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can view it online here. National Entitlement Card in Scotland In Scotland, people over 60 are eligible to apply for the National Entitlement Card (NEC), which is administered by the Scottish Government. It is Scotland's National Smartcard, offering access to many public services across the country. The card gives elderly and disabled people free bus travel across Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, also provides reductions on train, Subway and ferry fares. The NEC is valid for up to three years, but in a change to the renewal process, SPT no longer sends out renewal forms to disabled card holders. This means everyone with a card - sometimes referred to as a 'Saltire card' - should check the expiry date to make sure they will be able to enjoy uninterrupted entitlement to travel concessions. SPT recommends applying for a renewal card at least five weeks before the expiry date. It's also important to be aware that guidance on the SPT website states that the Concessionary Travel Card Unit at Buchanan Bus Station will be closed for in person applications until further notice.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New call to provide every person over 60 with free bus travel to any destination across the UK
The Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 includes a power to allow for mutual recognition of bus passes across the UK. How to apply for a Blue Badge A new online petition is calling for a change to the nationwide concessionary bus travel scheme to enable every older person to travel within all regions of the UK for free. At present, National Entitlement Cards are issued to people over State Pension age living in England and Wales, but available to those aged over 60 in Scotland. Petition creator Hillary Shaw argues that older people living near the borders of UK regions are 'disadvantaged' and that as bus services run across Scotland, England and Wales, it would be 'easier and fairer' if the concession card covered the whole journey. It emerged last year that existing UK Government legislation could make it possible to allow people with a concessionary bus pass to travel throughout the UK - in the future. At the time, the then Minister for Roads and Local Transport Guy Opperman, said there were no present plans to 'introduce such an arrangement'. The 'Negotiate UK-wide recognition of older person's bus passes' petition has been posted on the official UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and states: 'I think senior citizens living close to the English, Scottish and Welsh borders are disadvantaged in how many local bus services they can use. 'Bus services run across borders and I think it would be easier and fairer if the bus pass covered the whole journey, and return, on all of these services. 'I think it would be fairer for all if these passes could simply be used on any bus service in the UK. This could increase pensioner independence and travel opportunities, especially for those living in border areas.' At 10,000 signatures of support, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, most-likely the Department for Transport. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament - you can view it online here. National Entitlement Card in Scotland In Scotland, people over 60 are eligible to apply for the National Entitlement Card (NEC), which is administered by the Scottish Government. It is Scotland's National Smartcard, offering access to many public services across the country. The card gives elderly and disabled people free bus travel across Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, also provides reductions on train, Subway and ferry fares. The NEC is valid for up to three years, but in a change to the renewal process, SPT no longer sends out renewal forms to disabled card holders. This means everyone with a card - sometimes referred to as a 'Saltire card' - should check the expiry date to make sure they will be able to enjoy uninterrupted entitlement to travel concessions. SPT recommends applying for a renewal card at least five weeks before the expiry date. It's also important to be aware that guidance on the SPT website states that the Concessionary Travel Card Unit at Buchanan Bus Station will be closed for in person applications until further notice.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar offers great opportunities for open banking, financial services
Doha: Qatar provides copious opportunities in the open banking and open financing services market to enhance customer convenience and help create new revenue streams by partnering with fintech companies, said an official. In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula, UK's former Minister of State for Work and Pensions and current Senior Adviser at the global pension firm Smart, Guy Opperman, noted that emerging trends in Banking-as-a-Service are most relevant for Qatar's financial sector, augmenting its resilient economy. He also lauded the strong cooperation between Qatar and the UK, paving the way for investors to explore the market and enhance cooperation and cross-investment across a multitude of different sectors. Opperman said: 'The strong cooperation and the work between the two nations has been successful in the past and will continue. The evidence from the Memorandum of Understanding and the various protocols that were signed in December of last year clearly shows that this is happening already.' The former minister, who is visiting Doha, on the sidelines of the Digibank Summit said 'It is an opportunity to network with several people and dive into Qatar's financial market as there is a fantastic amount that both countries are doing, and I think they can learn from each other.' The official reiterated that both nations are reciprocating investment opportunities across diverse sectors. He stated that there are two aspects such as the 'heavyweight investment', which includes infrastructure, housing, and related services. On the other hand, investors from Qatar and the UK are also executing opportunities in the financial services market by establishing numerous fintech and startups in the region. Additionally, Opperman highlighted that Qatar is at the forefront of embarking on the digital transformation journey. 'What we are witnessing right now shows very clearly that there is a desire to have digital savings and digital retirement platforms,' he said. However, Qatar's challenge lies in embracing the change and positivity and harnessing it towards helping the citizens achieve this goal, the official indicated by saying 'not just for finance inclusion point of view but also enabling Qatari businesses capable of transforming the country's digital platforms and digital capabilities.' 'The future is very bright here and it's very clear from the conference that there is a real appetite for digital capability in a multitude of ways whether that is banking, open finance, or specific platforms of savings. So, it's an exciting time for the Middle East and Qatar, Opperman added. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
