'A double whammy for Londoners'- Caroline Pidgeon condemns Government proposals to rob funding for London's Freedom Pass

12.02.00pm GMT Wed 4th Nov 2009

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on the Department of Transport's new consultation on the national bus concession in England, which proposes to remove almost £29 million of funding for London's Freedom Pass said:

"After Boris Johnson's decision to hike bus fares by 20% Londoners now face a double whammy with this savage cut in funding for the Freedom Pass.

"London is the only major city in the country to be hit by these Government proposals. Hard up London council taxpayers, who are already facing a steep rise in fares, will now have to pay even more in their council tax to maintain London's Freedom Pass."

"This is an outrageous proposal by the Labour Government who are insulting London's pensioners, disabled people, as well as council taxpayers across the capital."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Today's consultation paper on the special grant funding in 2010/2011 for the national bus concession in England can be accessed at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/specialgrantfunding/ (see page 23 for details of cuts in funding for London)