Children in England to be offered free bus trips this August

Children aged five to 15 will travel for free on participating local buses in England in August, the chancellor will anounce on Thursday.

Rachel Reeves is to reveal a £100m fare-free scheme designed to relieve some of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

The Labour government will also suspend tariffs on more than 100 types of products including biscuits, chocolate, and dried fruit and nuts.

Ministers are pressing supermarkets to cut costs for shoppers but will not force them to cap prices on essentials like eggs, bread and milk.

But even a voluntary scheme to cut costs was described by Marks & Spencer's chief executive, Stuart Machin, as "completely preposterous".

"My advice is that the Government should reduce some of the tax and regulatory burden and free us up in a very competitive market," he said.

Treasury secretary Dan Tomlinson told the BBC it was "right that the government looks across the board at what more we can do - both government levers but also talking to industry about the steps that they can take to support people with the cost of living".

The BBC has approached other political parties for comment on the free bus travel scheme.

The government estimates it could save a family with two children who make a weekly return trip at £1.50 per fare approximately £27 in August.

Eligible children can take an unlimited number of trips and will not need registration to travel fare-free.

"As the war in Iran pushes prices up at home, my economic plan is the right one," she said.

"I will continue to make the right choices, to protect households and businesses, and build a stronger and more secure Britain."

Reeves also appeared on the social media app TikTok, writing in the caption: "I'm stepping in to make sure kids can still experience the little joys this summer."

The bus scheme, to run from 1 to 31 August, mirrors one trialled in the West of England which covers summer, Easter and Christmas holidays.

"Kids Go Free in the West of England has seen around 1.4 million free journeys," said Helen Godwin, the Labour mayor of the West of England.

"It's brilliant that, after we have invested devolved funding to make a difference that people across the West can see and feel, the government is rolling out Kids Go Free nationally this August!"

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "By giving every child free bus travel throughout August and cutting tariffs on everyday food items, we're putting money back into people's pockets and making life that bit easier."

The full list of products on which tariffs will be suspended will be published next week.

Tariffs are import taxes on goods paid by companies that form part of the supermarket supply chain. Grocers will need to pass on the savings from lower taxes for shoppers to see cheaper products.