Post by che68 on Jun 18, 2020 12:51:41 GMT
So im Windschatten der C19 Krise, machen die Torys das, was Sie am besten koennen, die Unterschicht bezahlen lassen. Dazu der London Major
Sadiq Khan’s response
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Follow
18 JUN 2020 — Dear Petitioner
Thank you for writing to me about this important issue. I share your concerns that suspending free travel for under-18s, which was a condition the Government imposed as part of the funding deal with Transport for London (TfL), is unfair and will hit the poorest Londoners hardest. I have urged the Government to rethink this damaging decision.
As you may know, in mid-May, the Government announced a £1.6 billion funding and financing package for TfL. This was necessary because COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on TfL’s finances, as it has on every transport provider in the UK. TfL fares income fell by 90 per cent in April and May because Londoners did the right thing, staying at home and off public transport – so there simply isn’t enough money coming in to pay for transport services.
Whereas the Government has provided financial support for transport services across the country without harsh strings attached, in the financial support deal with TfL the Government imposed a series of conditions that in my view unfairly punish Londoners. One of those conditions was that free travel is suspended for under-18s. The Government are, in effect, making ordinary Londoners pay the cost for doing the right thing on COVID-19 and staying at home.
I have been honest with Londoners that this is not the deal I wanted for London. But it was the only deal the Government put on the table, and these restrictions were a condition to receive the funding. If no deal was done, the ramifications would have meant severe cuts to the Tube and bus network at a time when we need to maximise services to support social distancing for those who have to make essential journeys.
It is abundantly clear to me that losing free travel would hit the poorest Londoners hardest at a time when family finances are stretched more than ever. As more families face financial stress from COVID-19, I am concerned that inevitable delays in assessing eligibility for free school travel would add additional burdens to low-income Londoners. There is no statutory entitlement to free travel for anyone above the age of 16 and we know children and young people in some of the most deprived areas in London are exposed to the highest road danger risk. I am therefore very concerned about the overall equality impact of these proposals. It is important given the pressures on public transport during this pandemic that children and young people walk or cycle to school where they can, but those who can’t should not be penalised for needing to use public transport.
We know this is causing uncertainty for children, families and schools, and I will continue to do everything I can to persuade Government to reverse their position.
I have recently written to the Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, urging him to drop this plan. I have asked the Government to provide clarity on their expectations as this is their policy and not mine. You can read both of my letters online:
www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-calls-for-under-18s-free-travel-to-remain
As soon as there are any developments on this important issue, I will let you know. I am sorry I am not able to provide more certainty at this time.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Yours sincerely,
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Sadiq Khan’s response
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Follow
18 JUN 2020 — Dear Petitioner
Thank you for writing to me about this important issue. I share your concerns that suspending free travel for under-18s, which was a condition the Government imposed as part of the funding deal with Transport for London (TfL), is unfair and will hit the poorest Londoners hardest. I have urged the Government to rethink this damaging decision.
As you may know, in mid-May, the Government announced a £1.6 billion funding and financing package for TfL. This was necessary because COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on TfL’s finances, as it has on every transport provider in the UK. TfL fares income fell by 90 per cent in April and May because Londoners did the right thing, staying at home and off public transport – so there simply isn’t enough money coming in to pay for transport services.
Whereas the Government has provided financial support for transport services across the country without harsh strings attached, in the financial support deal with TfL the Government imposed a series of conditions that in my view unfairly punish Londoners. One of those conditions was that free travel is suspended for under-18s. The Government are, in effect, making ordinary Londoners pay the cost for doing the right thing on COVID-19 and staying at home.
I have been honest with Londoners that this is not the deal I wanted for London. But it was the only deal the Government put on the table, and these restrictions were a condition to receive the funding. If no deal was done, the ramifications would have meant severe cuts to the Tube and bus network at a time when we need to maximise services to support social distancing for those who have to make essential journeys.
It is abundantly clear to me that losing free travel would hit the poorest Londoners hardest at a time when family finances are stretched more than ever. As more families face financial stress from COVID-19, I am concerned that inevitable delays in assessing eligibility for free school travel would add additional burdens to low-income Londoners. There is no statutory entitlement to free travel for anyone above the age of 16 and we know children and young people in some of the most deprived areas in London are exposed to the highest road danger risk. I am therefore very concerned about the overall equality impact of these proposals. It is important given the pressures on public transport during this pandemic that children and young people walk or cycle to school where they can, but those who can’t should not be penalised for needing to use public transport.
We know this is causing uncertainty for children, families and schools, and I will continue to do everything I can to persuade Government to reverse their position.
I have recently written to the Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, urging him to drop this plan. I have asked the Government to provide clarity on their expectations as this is their policy and not mine. You can read both of my letters online:
www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-calls-for-under-18s-free-travel-to-remain
As soon as there are any developments on this important issue, I will let you know. I am sorry I am not able to provide more certainty at this time.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Yours sincerely,
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London