‘The Freedom Pass Is Safe-Ignore the misleading information put around by the old political parties’-Andrew Rosindell MP.

The Reform Member of Parliament for Romford Andrew Rosindell MP today writes in the Havering Daily on the retaining of the Freedom Pass if Havering leaves London.

A message that all older people in Havering must read!

Ignore the misleading information put around by the old political parties. Our senior citizens have a right to be told the FACTS about the Freedom Pass…

The Truth is…

THE FREEDOM PASS IS SAFE!
 
I have always campaigned to keep the Older Person’s Freedom Pass and extend it, beyond “Greater London” to all council areas that are served by Transport for London. For example, Brentwood and Epping Forest, who are connected by the Elizabeth Line and Central Line.

To prove it, I even have legislation currently before the House of Commons – TfL Extension of Concessions Bill – which would achieve this. Putting the Freedom Pass and other TfL Travel Concessions on a statutary basis for all boroughs where TfL operate.

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4008
 
The Freedom Pass is a lifeline for many over the age of 66, enabling free access to all transport services operated by TfL. Having worked hard all their lives paid their taxes and contributed to the economy, the Freedom Pass allows senior citizens to stay connected and live active lives.

I will never allow the Freedom Pass to be taken away for as long as I remain the MP for Romford!

That is why, in January this year, when the Labour controlled “London Councils” suggested that the scheme could be curtailed, I launched a petition and raised the issue in Parliament.  We won the argument then and so now, the Freedom Pass is safe. I and Reform UK, will ensure that it stays that way.
 
However, there are so many misunderstandings about the Freedom Pass and the people of Havering must be told the truth.

The Freedom Pass scheme existed long before the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority came into being.  The Freedom Pass does not come under the control of the Mayor and he doesn’t pay for it.  Free travel for pensioners is not a gift from Sadiq Khan!

Thr fact is, Havering Council funds the Freedom Pass directly, based on how often local residents use public transport.  So if you jump on the Elizabeth Line using your Freedom Pass, Havering Council pay your fare.

Last year alone, Havering Council paid a total of £7,286,083.00 to TfL to fund the cost of the Freedom Pass for Havering’s pensioners and disabled people. Free bus travel is a national scheme supported by the government.

So, it is entirely false to claim that the Freedom Pass is dependent on Havering being under the Mayor of London and GLA. To say otherwise is a cruel attempt to frighten older people.

Those candidates so desperate to win their council seats on 7th May, who are pushing this lie about, should be ashamed of themselves!
 
It is entirely possible that Havering could return to being a fully Unitary Authority Council again, whilst remaining in the Greater London region, just as we used to be before the year 2000 when there was no Mayor or GLA. Havering did not stop being part of Greater London and our status as a London Borough remained unchanged.

When the old GLC bureaucracy was rightly abolished by Mrs Thatcher in 1986, we didn’t miss it.  We saved money and controlled how our local finances were spent; we kept the Freedom Pass, red buses, trains, and tubes; we retained the Metropolitan Police and had local police stations with a visible police presence in all parts of our borough; and we kept the services of the London Fire Brigade.  London weighting was never effected either, in case your wondering!

All these things carried on, but Havering then only paid for the services we actually received, rather than our money being spent on the Mayor’s inner London priorities and projects, which are mostly of no direct benefit to towns like Romford and Hornchurch.

It is hard to see what Havering has received in return for the hundreds of millions of pounds we have paid to the Mayor and GLA over the past twenty six years.

Our borough needs our local money spent on local services for local people in Havering. That will be my objective and that of a new Reform UK controlled Town Hall, working with a future Reform UK government led by @Nigel_Farage

We will put Havering first! 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
 
Tell me what you think, e-mail your thoughts to andrew.rosindell.mp@parliament.uk

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.