The Government has correctly decided that from April men over 60 should have the same rights as women to cheap bus travel.

But the reality for elderly people in Brighton and Hove is that both will lose out.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company has realised it cannot afford to extend its cut-price fares to men, many of whom travel to work until they are 65.

The city council could offer a subsidy to cover this gap. But it won't because of its financial crisis.

The council professes to have a devotion both to old people and to bus travel but it is remarkably reluctant to put its money where its mouth is.