Plans to extend free bus travel

The scheme has been running since April 2006

Plans to extend free bus travel to injured forces veterans have been published by the Scottish Government

The proposals are part of a review of the concessionary fares scheme which was introduced by the last administration.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has confirmed that pensioners and disabled people will remain entitled to travel for nothing.

The Labour party is claiming it as a victory.

The review will assess how the scheme has been operating since its introduction in April 2006, and look at ways to improve it further.

'Baseless claims'

Mr Swinney, speaking as the terms of the review were published, said: "The concessionary fares scheme has been a widespread success, bringing free travel to elderly and disabled people across Scotland.

"We now want to look at how the scheme can be improved even further. For example, I want to ensure that eligibility is extended so that injured veterans in Scotland are able to benefit from free bus travel.

"Older and disabled people will continue to be able to travel for free throughout Scotland - at any time, on any bus routes, for any number of journeys. It is important for the sake of vulnerable citizens across Scotland that baseless claims to the contrary are corrected."