Update on free bus passes and NHS prescriptions being scrapped for state pensioners

A major update has been issued over free bus passes and NHS prescriptions for state pensioners. Free bus passes and prescriptions for pensioners will be protected in the Budget, which Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to deliver next week.

Keir Starmer was quizzed over the prospect of state pensioners losing the benefits during his Commonwealth summit in Samoa. He said: “I'm not going to pre-empt that but we do want to make sure that pensioners are properly protected, of course we do.”

Mr Starmer said the Budget will “define the way in which we will approach the economy” in what could be a make-or-break moment for the Government. The PM said there was “no reason” for entrepreneurs to leave the UK, too.

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Asked if he thinks entrepreneurs may want to leave the UK following reported tax increases in the Budget, he reporters: “There is no reason for them to.” H e said: “All the feedback back to us has been that it was very well received by a significant number of global investors.”

He said: “Is it going to be an important Budget? Yes, it is. It’s the first one for 15 years, the first Labour Budget. It’s our first opportunity to define the way in which we will approach the economy, and that’s why I say we will fix the foundations and rebuild the country.”

Starmer's grilling comes after he was questioned about his relationship with Donald Trump, the US President. Speaking to reporters travelling with him to the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, Starmer said: “The Labour party … volunteers, have gone over pretty much every election. They’re doing it in their spare time, they’re doing it as volunteers, they’re staying I think with other volunteers over there.

“That’s what they’ve done in previous elections, that’s what they’re doing in this election and that’s really straightforward.” Asked if the complaint risked jeopardising his relationship with Trump if he becomes president again, the prime minister said: “No. I spent time in New York with President Trump, had dinner with him and my purpose in doing that was to make sure that between the two of us we established a good relationship, which we did, and we’re grateful for him for making the time.”