Coach Concession Cuts - not Scotland !

cinderfella

Get an email from National Express relating to Government cut backs re coach travel for the disabled. Scotland not included in the cut backs.

http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/Offers/Over60s.cfm?utm_source=crm&utm_medium=email&utm_term=link&utm_content=Government+cut+concessionary+fares&utm_campaign=mil_1

I thought we were all equal in the UK, yet Scotland is free from Prescription charges & now this. Looks as if Scotland is more equal than England. Total farce.

margaretclare

"I thought we were all equal in the UK, yet Scotland is free from Prescription charges & now this. Looks as if Scotland is more equal than England. Total farce."

Where have you been for the last few years? Living on one of the outer planets? Haven't you heard of something called the Barnett Formula? If not, look it up.

Katiehound

I just heard an advert / notice from National Express.

Seems concession is due to end October 31st but you can book for journeys up to August 31st 2012- presumably if you pay now?
Think it said contact your NE office.

cinderfella

margaretclare wrote: »

"I thought we were all equal in the UK, yet Scotland is free from Prescription charges & now this. Looks as if Scotland is more equal than England. Total farce."

Where have you been for the last few years? Living on one of the outer planets? Haven't you heard of something called the Barnett Formula? If not, look it up.

The Barnett formula is 40 years plus old. Barnett admits that in todays age it should be nullified. In fact the Barnett Formula has "no legal standing or democratic justification''. It's merely a tool used by the Treasury.
If Westminster wants to change concessions it would do well to bring its legislature up to date. Scotland should be treated no differently to any other country in the UK and I am sure most English are totally in agreement with that.
No disrespect to the Scottish intended.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580787/How-the-Barnett-formula-works.html

chalkie99

cinderfella wrote: »

Looks as if Scotland is more equal than England. Total farce.

Wales is more equal too.

:j:j

Owain_Moneysaver

cinderfella wrote: »

If Westminster wants to change concessions it would do well to bring its legislature up to date. Scotland should be treated no differently to any other country in the UK and I am sure most English are totally in agreement with that.
No disrespect to the Scottish intended.

It's actually England that is treated differently to the rest of the UK in that, unlike Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, England's domestic matters are discussed at the UK Parliament in Westminster and, AFAIK, there is no separate budget for English domestic spending.

GlynD

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It's actually England that is treated differently to the rest of the UK in that, unlike Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, England's domestic matters are discussed at the UK Parliament in Westminster and, AFAIK, there is no separate budget for English domestic spending.

You're eluding to the West Lothian Question and I happen to agree, even though I'm not English. Scottish, Welsh and Irish MP's all get to vote on matters concerning England but English MP's are denied this right with regards to the regional parliaments.

Dunwunderin

All trains and buses in N.Ireland are free to pensioners. In addition, all public transport is free in the Republic of Ireland to Northern pensioners.

Let's hope it continues as free transport is a valuable concession!

Farway

Maybe I am in a different [English] world, I was not even aware there were half price coach concessions, but then I never use coaches, or trains come to that, just local buses or my car, so for me the cancellation of the subsidy has no effect, except perhaps a bit less public expenditure on those who can afford to pay full price anyway

PS, before you ask, I do use my free bus pass, and I can afford to pay full fare, however if the free pass was withdrawn I would just use my car instead

margaretclare

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It's actually England that is treated differently to the rest of the UK in that, unlike Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, England's domestic matters are discussed at the UK Parliament in Westminster and, AFAIK, there is no separate budget for English domestic spending.

No, there is not. And the reason why there is not? There is no English Parliament. Another thing to look up: the Campaign for an English Parliament.

margaretclare

GlynD wrote: »

You're eluding to the West Lothian Question and I happen to agree, even though I'm not English. Scottish, Welsh and Irish MP's all get to vote on matters concerning England but English MP's are denied this right with regards to the regional parliaments.

Yes, that is right. I assume everyone knows what is meant by the West Lothian Question? No?

This question was posed some years ago now by Tam Dalyell who at that time was MP for West Lothian.

It still remains the case that Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs can debate and decide on matters that apply only in England, whereas the converse is not the case.