We’ve sent this open letter to the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, urging him to extend a change he already championed as Mayor of Greater Manchester, scrapping time restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes, to the whole country
| The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP Prime Minister 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA |
Patron: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson |
21 July 2026
Dear Prime Minister,
Congratulations on becoming Prime Minister.
We’re delighted to see that someone who loves talking about buses is now running the country.
We’d like to ask you to keep talking about them for just a little longer.
As Mayor of Greater Manchester, you removed unnecessary time restrictions on disabled people’s concessionary bus passes. You know first-hand what a practical difference that makes to disabled people, making it easier to get to work, education, healthcare, volunteering and everyday life.
We’re campaigning for disabled people in the North East to have the same opportunities. The Department for Transport has confirmed that the powers already exist to make this change. The North East Mayor has committed to considering our proposal as part of wider transport reform. We are still waiting to hear from the Tees Valley Mayor.
You’ve spoken about wanting government to improve people’s everyday lives. Disabled people are facing many challenges at the moment, but this is one practical change that could do exactly that.
As Prime Minister, you are now in a unique position to encourage regional Mayors to follow the example you set in Greater Manchester. We’d be delighted if you would champion this change.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Christopher Hartworth
Director, Difference North East
