Free bus fares and prescriptions costs in 2021: FOI release

Information requested

How much did it cost Scotland in 2021 for free bus fares and prescriptions?

Response

The answer to your question relating to how much it cost Scotland in 2021 for free bus fares is provided below.

For the period January to December 2021 (inclusive), bus operators received £106 million in reimbursement for the costs of carrying passengers for free under the older and disabled persons scheme.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the cost of free prescriptions. However Public Health Scotland publishes annual data on prescription costs. The most recent report covers 2020/21 and is available on their website at Dispenser payments and prescription cost analysis - financial year 2020 to 2021 - Dispenser payments and prescription cost analysis - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.