There is much talk that the Conservative Party are planning to abolish the free bus pass for pensioners. The argument is this "Why subsidise people who can afford to pay for it?".This to me is the type of logic which completely alienates me from the Tory party. Firstly, well off pensioners have paid for it. They've spent a whole lifetime contributing to the tax system, putting in far more than they take out. They are not "getting something for nothing" as some Tory commentators like to say, they are getting something back for a lifetime of work and contribution. Secondly it is good for motorists. The buses will run anyway. Some pensioners who now take the bus because of the pass, will drive, causing more pollution and congestion. Thirdly, the London economy will suffer. Many pensioners use their bus pass for days out, which stimulate and support the London economy. Tory commentators claim that if they want to go out, they will anyway. This is completely untrue. My dearly deceased mother got a free bus pass on her 60th birthday. Until ill health prevented her, she'd have a day out on the bus every Tuesday (when the weather was fine). Trips to museums, shopping centres, parks, down to see the river Thames, trips to visit friends, family and former places of work. She'd also regularly get the bus to Burnt Oak, because "the mushrooms were better there" or to Golders Green because there was a shop where she liked the smoked salmon. She'd go down to auctions, visit special events and sometimes just take a particular bus, because she liked the view from the top deck.
All of these journeys would inevitably involve a beer or cup of tea and a sandwich along route. She'd often inform me she'd found a new pub which did an "amazing roast beef sandwich for £1" or the like in the strangest of places. She'd buy the Evening Standard on the way back and tell us all about her day out. Sometimes she'd just take a sketch pad and draw wome sight she'd seen the previous week, which would later adorn the wall of her flat.
Was she unique in finding this pass to be life enhancing? I doubt it. I know many elderly people who see it as a ticket to a new lease of life. By my maths, approx 30% of the population must be of "bus pass age" and they must make a significant contribution to the economy. It is in all of our interests for them to be active and to spend money in shops. If anyone thinks passing "costcutting" measures which restricts this activity is a good idea, then they are unfit for public office. Mind you, given what the Tory politicians in Barnet are trying to do to the residents of sheltered housing, if there was any group lobbying for such an obnoxioux policy, I'm sure our beloved Barnet mob would be somewhere near the front of the queue.
3 comments:
I completely agree.
In 2009 19% of pensioners (2 million) were living in poverty in this country (defined as less than 60% of the median income). 36% of people over 60 avoided heating their homes to save money.
However, you are also right that over 60s as a group hold a large proportion of the country's assets and disposable income.
There are real problems with the organisation of Dial-a-ride. Barnet Council is not willing to fund minibus transport for older people to get to access services and day centre opportunities, for those who cannot manage the bus, because minibuses are expensive to run.
There is another issue. Loneliness is a big taboo subject for older people. They don't talk about it; instead research that Age Concern Barnet has done with Middlesex University, shows that recognise the importance of "keeping busy".
Means testing bus passes would be administratively expensive. Since we know that between 59-67% of people eligible for pension tax credit do not claim it, we might expect the same problem.
It is important to keep bus passes and even more important to keep places for people to go on the bus, like libraries, post-offices and day centres.
I am incredibly pleased to see that the link between pensions and earnings has been restored though.
But dear Rog it has nothing to do with The Conservative Party infact it is London Councils who deal with the Freedom Pass!
"Amanda",
I suppose the Conservative Party has nothing to do with running London Boroughs such as Barnet.
Just out of interest, why do you persist with the pathetic use of the pseudoname? Lets face it if you really believe you've got a sensible point to make, surely you shouldn't hide your light under a bushell?
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