Seaford MP Norman Baker challenged the Prime Minister about the growing cost of public transport compared with the decreasing cost of travelling by car, suggesting that the Government was not living up to its alleged commitment to tackle the problems of social inclusion and climate change.

On the floor of the Commons Mr Baker cited official government figures which show that since 1997 the real cost of travelling by train has gone up six per cent, the cost of travelling by bus has gone up 13 per cent but the cost of travelling by car is down 10 per cent.

Mr Baker said, "I am very glad to have been able to raise this issue with the Prime Minister as the conflicting messages that the government are sending are endangering both the possibility of developing a sustainable transport system for the country and the battle against climate change.

"The increase in passenger numbers between Eastbourne and Lewes, thanks to reduced price season tickets, has proven that more reasonable fares simultaneously help to tackle social exclusion by making public transport more affordable and help to tackle climate change by getting people to leave their cars at home.

"If climate change is to be successfully tackled then we need to ensure that transport that is more environmentally friendly is encouraged by making it cheaper than more environmentally damaging methods of travel.

"The current situation whereby car travel is getting cheaper and bus and train travel is getting dearer does the precise opposite.

"The government urgently needs to change this and start rewarding the public transport user."