“Seismic win”

Unite Community members are celebrating this week after joining forces with Age UK in a successful campaign to protect the Freedom Pass in London.

Last Thursday (June 18) Unite Community activists lobbied the Transport and Environment Committees AGM as part of a joint campaign between Unite Community London and Eastern Region and Age UK to stop any further reviews of the Freedom Pass, and demand that there is no U-Turn on the commitment not to dilute or make any changes to the current Freedom Pass concessions.

Unite Community members had been holding street stalls across the capital to raise awareness about any proposed changes the committee might make to the Freedom Pass. 

The activists encouraged people to sign the Age UK petition and a Unite Community survey – which the public did in their thousands.

Vic Paulino, Unite Community organiser for the London & Eastern region said, “I’m pleased to say that the newly formed committee all committed to no changes to the Freedom Pass, the committees Chair councillor Paul Osborne and vice chair Jo Blackman came out to speak to us, and a delegation went into the building to hand in our Surveys and Petition.

“This is actually a seismic win and shows exactly how the community can affect change for the public, not just our members.

“Our Freedom Pass campaign has just ensured that hundreds of thousands of people will not be subject to review of the pass and it stays as it is.”

Concerns had been raised in January after there were discussions within the Transport and Environment Committee to limit free travel for older people to buses as a cost cutting exercise. The committee had changed membership following the recent London elections. 

The issue of the Freedom Pass was highlighted last winter after became the subject of a social media row last winter when the television celebratory Kirstie Allsopp, who spends her time between homes in Notting Hill and Devon, criticised the 80 year old children’s author, and national treasure, Michael Rosen for having a Freedom Pass.

Many in the capital jumped to the poet’s defense and highlighted the fact that most people who used the pass had paid taxes all their working lives.

Age UK London highlighted that changes to the Freedom Pass would disproportionately affect those on low incomes, from ethnic minority backgrounds and older people who depend on public transport to access vital services.

People use the pass for appointments, social activities and to stay connected to family and friends – all things that are vital for mental and physical wellbeing. It is not only for pensioners, but disabled residents are also able to use the pass for the city’s vast public transport network of buses, tube, trains and trams.

Paula Peters chairs the London and Eastern Unite Community Campaign Forum and told the Evening Standard that reforming the Freedom Pass would increase social isolation, ensure older Londoners lose their independence and heavily impact the local economy.

She added: “For so many, this is a vitally important lifeline that keeps people socially active and engaged in their community – [getting rid of it] would put pressure on the NHS and local services.”

Vic felt that this was a fantastic day for Unite Community and showed the power Unite activists have when it comes to supporting campaigns that benefit local people.

Vic said, “My thanks to all the community members who have held stalls and who collected over 1000 surveys and 10,780 signatures on the petition, and to those  who turned up today. And of course to AgeUk our partners.

This is a win for us, our partners Age UK, and for so many members and non members.”

Vic said that Unite Community will continue to work with Age UK, and is also looking at ways to support public transport accessibility for millions of people beyond the capital in the future. 

By Keith Hatch

Photo by Vic Paulino