Today the Mayor released his draft budget for the 2013/14 financial year. It includes a cut to Band D council tax of 1.2%, or £3.72 a year - just 7 pence per week. However, on the same day the Mayor has raised transport fares in London above inflation for the fifth year running. From today, an annual Zone 1-4 Travel-card will cost Londoners £72.00 more than last year.
As Chair of Transport for London, Boris Johnson is responsible for setting fare levels for the capital.
Labour London Assembly Budget Spokesperson John Biggs said:“Today Boris raised transport fares above inflation for the fifth year running. People are now paying an extra £72 for an annual Zone 1-4 travel card. Boris Johnson’s council tax cut amounts to just 7p a week per household. This is an insult to hard-working Londoners who are already struggling with a triple whammy of rising food, fuel and rent costs.
“Rather than being a cheerleader for government cuts, the Mayor needs to stand up for Londoners and be counted. Since May 2010 the Met have lost 2,208 police officers and 30 fire stations have been identified for possible closure. The Mayor and his colleagues in government are cutting too far, too fast. They are hitting the frontline police and fire services that we all depend on to keep us safe.”
“Wages for the majority of workers are barely rising. It is scandalous that Boris has not used his power to curb fare rises, but at the same time is claiming credit for saving households 7 pence a week. If he’s not there to stand up for Londoners in tough times, then what exactly is he there for? In the past two years TfL have collected £251million more than they were expecting in fares. It is ludicrous for the Mayor to claim he can’t help Londoners.”
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