Assembly thanks organisations for Freedom Pass campaign

The Older Persons Freedom Pass provides a huge benefit to older Londoners in visiting family and friends, volunteering and accessing medical and other services. The value of the pass in reducing social isolation, enabling active lifestyles into later life and supporting the contribution of older Londoners to our city should not be undervalued.

London Councils has now confirmed that there will be no changes to the Freedom Pass.

The London Assembly has today thanked Age UK London and Unite Community London and Eastern for their campaign standing up this vital lifeline for older Londoners.

Elly Baker AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“The Older Persons’ Freedom Pass is much more than free travel. It helps older Londoners stay connected to their families, access healthcare, volunteer in their communities and live independent, active lives.

“Thousands of Londoners made their voices heard because they understood what was at stake. The successful campaign by Age UK London and Unite Community shows the value people place on protecting this vital lifeline.

“I’m pleased London Councils has listened and confirmed there will be no changes. Protecting the Freedom Pass means protecting older Londoners’ independence and ensuring they can continue making such an important contribution to life in our capital.”

The full text of the motion is:

“This Assembly welcomes the successful campaign of Age UK London and Unite Community London and Eastern to protect the Older Persons’ Freedom Pass.

Last month Age UK London and Unite Community London and Eastern handed in an open letter supported by 30 organisations and co-signed by over 10,000 Londoners to London Councils in order to demonstrate the importance of protecting the Freedom Pass.

We note that the Older Persons Freedom Pass provides a huge benefit to older Londoners in visiting family and friends, volunteering and accessing medical and other services. The value of the pass in reducing social isolation, enabling active lifestyles into later life and supporting the contribution of older Londoners to our city should not be undervalued. We believe any changes or cuts to eligibility or scaling back of provisions would have a disproportionate effect on the positive benefits of the Pass.

London Councils has now confirmed that there will be no changes to the Freedom Pass. The Assembly would like to put on record it’s thanks to Age UK London and Unite Community London and Eastern for their campaign standing up this vital lifeline for older Londoners.”

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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