Lancashire County Council is reviewing the Autumn Statement but no decision has been made on bus fare prices after the cap rose to £3 in the Budget on Wednesday, October 30.

The rise from the current limit of £2 is to kick in from January after Labour opted to extend the cap, due to run out at the end of the year, but has increased it by 50 per cent due to the current cap being described as "financially unsustainable".

No decision has been made by Lancashire County Council in response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been contacted regarding buses in the borough but has yet to respond.

The new £3 cap covers most bus journeys in England and will run until the end of 2025.

County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Now the Autumn Budget has been presented to Parliament, we will be taking some time to review its contents and implications on council services in Lancashire.

“Residents will be informed of any proposed changes that may come forward as a result."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, on the grounds the previous Tory government only funded the current cap to the end of 2024.

On Tuesday, Mayor Andy Burnham announced fares in Greater Manchester would continue to cost a maximum of £2 for the whole of 2025 despite the change.

Mr Burnham said: “We will proceed with our plan to introduce a new simpler, flatter fare structure based around a £2 single fare.

"Our policy aim has been to create a low-fare, high-patronage system similar to the one that has brought higher growth and productivity to London. We will keep the £2 cap for as long as we can."

The Department for Transport said maintaining the £3 cap until the end of 2025 would cost £151 million, while the government was also providing £925m for local authorities and bus service operators to improve routes.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and bus operator Transdev have been contacted for comment.