"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we
seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by
poverty, ignorance or conformity."
(Preamble to the Party Constitution). |
Stop Labour's Bus Pass Rip-off
Introduction
The Labour government is raiding Harlow Council's bank balance to pay for changes to pensioners' bus passes, local Liberal Democrats
reveal.
Two years ago, bus travel across Essex became free for Harlow pensioners. This year, the Government has changed the system again.
Pensioners will be able to travel throughout the country - not just Essex - for free. Lib Dem leader Chris Millington explains:
"It's great that older people are being helped to get out and about. But instead of funding these changes properly, Gordon Brown
is making Harlow Council pay from your council tax for almost all the extra costs of these journeys."
Harlow Council must pay the bus companies part of the price of each journey made using a bus pass. The Government gives the Council
money towards this, but far less than the real cost. And the council can't control the cost of bus travel, which is rising by the day.
The result - Harlow Council seriously out of pocket, with the danger that the shortfall will have to be found by cutting other services.
That's why local Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to Stop Labour's Bus Pass Rip-Off.
The cost of bus passes soars - but it's not the Government that's paying ...
Two years ago, Harlow's bus pass scheme cost just over £850,000 - with £400,000 coming from the charge the council used to make for
the bus passes, and the remaining £450,000 from the council. This year, the cost of the scheme is likely to be around £1,460,000;
but £965,000 of that will have come from the council, and less than £500,000 from the Government.
Harlow isn't the only council to be affected; other Essex authorities are experiencing problems that are just as bad or even worse.
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3 things you can do
(1) Sign the online petition below
(2) Contact your local Liberal Democrat team and tell them you're backing the campaign
(3) Write to Bill Rammell MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA and demand an end to the rip-off
STOP LABOUR'S BUS PASS RIP-OFF
Sign the petition here
Harlow Liberal Democrats do not pass email addresses or other details to third parties.
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