Landmark Bus Bill has become law

BETTER buses are on their way for thousands of passengers across the country after the Government’s Bus Services Bill became law on:- 27 October 2025, marking a new dawn for bus travel in the UK.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport across England, but around 300 million fewer miles were driven by bus services in England in 2024 compared to 2010, with passengers suffering from sudden route cuts and a lack of accountability. 

This landmark move will end the risk of routes being scrapped at short notice by tightening the requirements for cancelling vital routes, an issue which has left passengers, particularly those who are elderly, disabled or living in rural areas, cut off and isolated from their communities.

The Government will now empower Councils to identify services which they deem as socially necessary, meaning strict requirements must be followed if operators wish to cancel or change them.

Not only will the new laws ensure services are protected but it will also lift the ban on local authorities setting up their own bus companies, allowing them to run their own services to ensure that passengers, not profit, come 1st.

The Bus Services Act also includes plans to mandate staff, including:- drivers and those based at bus stations, to undertake training to recognise and handle incidents of anti social behaviour and crime, including:- violence against women and girls.

The Government will back bus services with further funding for local authorities, which will be agreed in the coming weeks.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:- "For too long catching the bus has felt like an ordeal, with unreliable services and cuts to key routes meaning many communities, particularly those in rural areas, have been left isolated. The passing of our vital Bus Services Act will finally change this. By making it easier for local leaders to take control of their buses we are putting passengers 1st, improving access to jobs, education and tourism opportunities which are all vital to growing the economy; a fundamental part of our Plan for Change."

As well as plans to allow Councils to start their own bus services, the Bus Services Act will also cut the red tape holding back bus franchising, where local authorities allow companies to operate in their areas while retaining control over key aspects such as routes and fares, ensuring this model can be delivered faster.

The Government is already backing local authorities in:- York and North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Hertfordshire, Cheshire West and Chester as part of the Bus Franchising Pilots, which aims to explore how local authorities could take control of its bus network and transform rural services to work for everyone.

Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), said:- "The lack of reliable, affordable public transport in rural areas is a widespread problem which impacts on those in greatest need and holds back economic growth. We welcome the new measures to require the identification and listing of socially necessary local services, and new requirements if bus operators want to cancel or change them. This is an important 1st step to achieving better rural bus services, and ACRE looks forward to working with Government to ensure the Act delivers positive change for rural communities."

Paul Nowak, General Secretary, TUC said:- "This landmark Bus Bill is great news for the hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who rely on our bus networks to get to and from work each day. The Government is turning the page on the failed era of bus privatisation - and returning to a system that puts ordinary people above profits and shareholder returns. We’ve already seen the real difference that effective franchising can make in places like Manchester. It's now vital that local leaders work in partnership with the bus workforce to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Bill."

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:- "The Bus Services Act represents a watershed moment for the future of the bus. We now have legislation that provides all local leaders with greater powers and the ability to choose the right tools to improve their local bus networks and passengers’ experiences - ensuring these services are accessible, safe and attractive. We warmly welcome the Act and its recognition of the critical role that local areas play on the road to better buses."

Southport Flower Show boss Alan Adams aiming to bloom to Strictly fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice

SOUTHPORT Flower Show boss Alan Adams is hoping to emerge from the Queenscourt Strictly event in Southport smelling of roses. But as someone who is:- "a complete novice" at dancing, Alan, who is always eager to grasp a new challenge, is busy growing roots with his weekly training sessions. He is hoping for a blooming great response from the audience at the Prince Of Wales Hotel when Strictly takes place this November, as well as from people invited to back his fundraising efforts for Queenscourt. You can donate to his cause here: Alan Adams is fundraising for Queenscourt Hospice

Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park General Manager Alan Adams said:- "I enjoyed watching the Queenscourt Strictly event at the Prince Of Wales Hotel in November last year and thought it was a brilliant event. On the night I sat at the same table as Serena Silcock-Prince, the Operations Manager at Silcock Leisure Group. We were both asked if we’d like to take part in the event and we both agreed to sign up straight away. I have been asked in the past to take part but have been too busy to commit to it, but this year I really wanted to do it even though I may not have as much time to practice as others. I completely forgot about Strictly. Then in June my dance teacher, Kaz Leach, called me about starting some practice sessions before the event - that’s when the panic set in! I wasn’t able to do any sessions during the summer as I was busy organising the 101st Anniversary Southport Flower Show in August, which was a massive success. We welcomed over 50,000 visitors to Victoria Park over four gloriously sunny days. Since then I've been playing catch-up and trying hard to learn all the necessary dance moves and my routine for the night. I am really looking forward to Strictly on 15 November when hopefully I will do my best for Queenscourt Hospice."

While Alan is excited to be taking part, he says he’s not confident about winning, but does have some dancing heritage in his family. Alan added:- "I am short, I have 2 left feet, I have no background in dancing at all but just thought I would give it a go! I am a complete novice. Queenscourt is such a magnificent local charity to support and I am really keen to raise as much money as I can for them. It is such a worthy cause to support. When I was working in the civil service at Smedley Hydro in Birkdale, we raised many thousands of pounds for Queenscourt Hospice over the years. It was a cause that we were always very keen to raise money for. My in-laws, Jean and Ken Shaw, were looked after wonderfully by Queenscourt Hospice. I know 1st hand about the excellent care they provide for families in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire. I am also taking part in memory of my Mum, who loved dancing and also suffered from bladder cancer amongst other illnesses. It’s a very challenging time for all charities. It is getting harder and harder to raise the money they need to keep offering all the services they provide. Southport Flower Show is also a charity, so the charity sector is something I know well. Queenscourt Hospice deserves all the help they can get through events like Strictly, Star Trekk, the Southport Santa Sprint and others. As well as raising funds for Queenscourt, I also want to try and raise as much awareness about what they do as I can. This is very much a new challenge for me! My Mum and Dad used to love going dancing together. They always went dancing at the Verrico School of Dance in Southport. My Dad now loves going to the Fever Dance School. When my Mum was alive, they loved going dancing together. They enjoyed the atmosphere, the dancing, the costumes, and the friendship. Competing in Strictly is going to be a really big step for me! I am really getting out of my comfort zone and pushing myself. I enjoy a new challenge. I am fortunate to be getting great support. Kaz Leach, at Marshside School Of Dance, is an excellent teacher, and I have been getting lots of backing from Sue, my family, and my colleagues at Southport Flower Show. Hopefully I will make them all proud on the night."

Strictly Queenscourt returns for its third dazzling year on:- Saturday, 15 November 2025.  After 2 unforgettable sell out events, the event is back with even more sparkle, sequins, and show stopping moves! This year's glittering line up features 10 courageous contestants, each paired with a:- professional dancer, a panel of fabulous judges, two sensational hosts, and a night full of entertainment;- all in support of Queenscourt Hospice.

Queenscourt Hospice is delighted to return to the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel for what promises to be another spectacular evening of fundraising and fun.

Each contestant is aiming to raise a minimum of £1,500 in sponsorship, so please dig deep and support their incredible efforts.

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