Overview

• The UK Government petitions site shows more than 10,700 signatures on the campaign started by Michael Thompson calling for state-funded licences for all pensioners.
• Crossing 10,000 signatures requires an official government reply, and petitions reaching 100,000 are considered for a parliamentary debate.
• No policy change has been announced, and an official response is awaited under the petitions process.
• Existing concessions include a free licence for those aged 75 and over on Pension Credit, a £7.50 rate for eligible residential care residents, and a 50% discount for registered blind people.
• The licence rose to £174.50 in April and is set to track inflation to 2027, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has signaled openness to exploring a sliding-scale alternative to the flat fee.