Freedom passes: Council U-turn on manifesto (From Harrow Times)

Freedom passes: Council U-turn on manifesto

11:09am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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I was interested to read Jeff Anderson’s letter (‘Changes go against promise’, Your Views, July 22) on the Government’s fairly straightforward announcement that it intends to review the way in which the concessionary bus pass scheme operates.

Having seen concessionary fares mentioned in a recent Cabinet paper, I asked Labour leader Cllr Bill Stephenson at last week’s overview and scrutiny meeting what his new administration’s plans were for concessionary fares.

Since Harrow Labour’s manifesto states on page 13 that “we will protect the availability of concessionary fares for Harrow residents, especially the freedom pass”, I was somewhat surprised when Cllr Stephenson told me directly that he is reviewing the eligibility criteria for the freedom passes that the council gives to people with disabilities.

The result of any tightening of the criteria would most likely be that some of Harrow’s most vulnerable residents would be stripped of their freedom passes.

I therefore look forward to Mr Anderson’s next letter in which he will no doubt denounce Labour’s manifesto as “a sham”.

Cllr Paul Osborn, Pinner ward