The age at which people in England get a free bus pass could go up from 60 to 65 sooner than previously planned, under new plans.

Labour wanted to introduce the policy by 2020, but the Department of Transport has suggested bringing it forward as part of the coalition government's budget cuts.

Currently, the department spends £1bn a year on free travel for the elderly.

The prime minister had previously insisted passes would not be scrapped.

The Department for Transport's idea is among its initial proposals for the budget cuts being submitted to the Treasury by all departments later.

Most departments have been told to go through their budgets for savings of between 25% and 40%, with the government's public spending review expected to be completed in October.

At the moment, anyone born before April 1950 is eligible for an annual bus pass giving free off-peak travel anywhere in England.

Since April, however, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel has begun gradually increasing from 60 - to reach 65 for both men and women by the end of the decade.

This was an idea announced by Alistair Darling in March in his final Budget as chancellor.

The exact details of how quickly the coalition government would bring in the age increase to 65 have not been disclosed.

A source told the BBC all available options were being considered for the spending review.

It is understood in his submission to Chancellor George Osborne later, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will say he has decided to stick with Mr Darling's plan.

It comes after Mr Cameron accused Labour of "pure and simple lies" when they accused him of planning to scrap bus passes during the general election campaign.

A DfT spokesman said the government was "committed to protecting free bus travel for older people".

"Our efforts are focused on finding efficiencies through reforming the administrative and reimbursement arrangements of the scheme.

"This is being examined as part of the spending review."

In his budget last month, Chancellor George Osborne said departments would face average cuts of 25% when the spending review was completed.

Health and aid spending will be ring fenced, while defence and education will face cuts of between 10% and 20%.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk