Assembly wants travel concessions for London’s unpaid carers

Transport is a major expense for unpaid carers, with some families being forced to choose between paying for a young carer’s Zip Oyster Card and paying for food.

A recent Economy, Culture and Skills Committee report into unpaid carers found that “many of London’s unpaid carers struggle to make ends meet.”

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion, calling on Transport for London (TfL) to carry out an assessment of transport concessions for unpaid carers.

Keith Prince AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes in our city, providing vital support to some of London's most vulnerable residents, often at enormous personal and financial sacrifice.

“It's simply wrong that those who dedicate their lives to caring for others are being priced off London's Transport Network. A Carers' Travelcard offering free or discounted travel would be a meaningful way to recognise their contribution and ease the financial burden they face.

“I'm pleased the Assembly has backed my motion calling on the Mayor to properly explore this proposal. It's time to stop overlooking unpaid carers and started giving them the support they deserve.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly notes and agrees with the words of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee’s March 2026 Unpaid Carers Report that “nobody chooses to be an unpaid carer” and that “many of London’s unpaid carers struggle to make ends meet.” In light of the Committee’s findings, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, this Assembly recognises that the cost of travel is a real burden on those who look after London’s most vulnerable residents.

This Assembly also notes that the Committee heard that transport is a major expense for unpaid carers, with some families being forced to choose between paying for a young carer’s Zip Oyster Card and paying for food. The Committee also found that 29 per cent of London’s unpaid carers live in poverty, compared with 21 per cent of non-carers.

Finally, this Assembly notes and welcomes the Committee’s Recommendation 1 which asked for Transport for London’s (TfL) assessment of transport concessions for unpaid carers to begin before the end of 2026, and expresses its disappointment that the Mayor has decided not to carry out that assessment.

This Assembly believes that it’s wrong for Londoners who care for others to be priced off the TfL network. Unpaid carers save the health and social care system billions of pounds every year, often at great cost to their own finances and careers. A targeted concession would cost a fraction of the value they provide.

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to:

• Instruct TfL to carry out the assessment of transport concessions for unpaid carers as recommended by the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee’s Report;
• Ensure the assessment models a Carers’ Travelcard offering free or discounted travel to unpaid carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or the carer element of Universal Credit;
• Explore the feasibility of the GLA establishing a London-wide register of unpaid carers; and
• Set out how any concession for carers would be funded without increasing fares for other Londoners.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

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