THE leader of Essex County Council has called on the Government to provide "sufficient funding" for its concessionary bus fair scheme for over-60s.

Speaking in the House of Lords during the second reading of the Concession-ary Bus Travel Bill, Lord Hanningfield said councils would be left to pick up the bill if the scheme is more popular than the Government estimates.

He said while he "supported the aims and objectives" of the scheme, he and other councillors in Essex had a number of reservations about the way the scheme was being administered.

Lord Hanningfield said: "We all recognise the ability to travel is particularly important for pensioners and disabled people, but to do so requires sound legislative funding, reimbursement and administrative arrangements, some of which are not yet clear."

Norman Hume, county councillor responsible for highways and transportation, added afterwards: "The Government promised local authorities would be no better, no worse off' as a result.

"But with another capping scheme, ministers have made sure, in reality, it's local authorities who would pay in the long run."

Essex County Council and the Essex Leaders Group have asked to meet with transport minister Rosie Winterton.