The Government should pay more towards bus travel in York, according to York councillors.

Under the concessionary bus fare scheme, pensioners can travel for free anywhere in England – and the entire cost of their fare is refunded by central Government to local authorities.

But the Government’s previous estimate of what the scheme costs in York has been less than the local authority’s estimate – and in Government figures released this week, the difference between the two estimates has grown.

Council officers are now working out the exact shortfall.

Council leader Coun Andrew Waller said: “We will need to make representations on that.

“We will need to do that whatever the political complexion of Downing Street.”

The scheme was set up by the Labour Government.