The decision to end free Transport for London travel for under-18s will have serious consequences on young Londoners, air quality and low-income families.
The London Assembly has today called on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP and the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP on behalf of the Assembly to reverse the decision to end free Transport for London travel for under-18s.
Dr Alison Moore AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Let’s be clear, all the evidence shows that the Government intervened to shoehorn this punitive condition into its negotiations with TfL at the eleventh hour. This is where the accountability lies for this decision.
“Beyond the politics, the suspension of free travel concessions targeted at thousands of children and young people in the capital will hit the poorest the hardest, despite some of the exemptions in place.
“In addition to this, TfL have been clear from very early on that this policy would be an administrative nightmare to implement. This has been reflected in the fact that the Government has had to push back the changes until half-term.
“If the Transport Secretary refuses to listen the Mayor’s repeated calls to scrap this policy, he should turn his attention to the growing chorus of young Londoners, parents and charities instead.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly objects to the Government’s decision to end free Transport for London travel for under-18s as part of the funding deal required due to loss of fares income during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Assembly notes the serious consequences that this decision will have on young Londoners, air quality and low-income families.
This Assembly agrees for the Chair of the London Assembly to write to Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP and the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP on behalf of the Assembly, and calls on the Mayor to continue lobbying Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP for a reversal in this decision that affects the most vulnerable and increases inequalities.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed by 15 votes for.
- Dr Alison Moore AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.