Sir Simon Milton’s reported comments that the half-price bus and tram fares for income support claimants will continue raises further questions about the nature of the deal and any ‘hand back’ of moneys. To refresh our knowledge, here’s what the Mayoral spokesperson said recently about the deal during a recent spat with Ken Livingstone:
“The fact remains though that, under the widely derided deal, Venezuela - a very poor country, has given London - one of the world’s richest cities, some £16m of which several million has not been used.
“Boris Johnson feels that this was a morally bankrupt approach, and it would be ridiculous if unspent money was not returned. Negotiation between the parties will decide the final amount.
Now that we know the deal will continue, we have two options, neither of which is particularly indicative of the degree of clarity of purpose we might be hoping for by now:
- Boris is going to hand back the first year’s unspent money (£7m reputedly) to the poor starving Venezuelan national oil company, then find £9m+ a year from the TfL budget to fund income support subsidies going forward
- Boris is not going to hand back the first year’s unspent money to the poor starving Venezuelan national oil company but will keep it, and is then going to find £2m next year, then £9m a year going forward, thus contradicting his spokesman
So, a wholly unnecessary £7m hole in the TfL budget or moral bankruptcy. Which is it to be, Boris?
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5 responses so far ↓
I just listened to the repeat. I’m not sure whether Milton was not just referring to the line about honouring the concession until its end.
That said, there have been rumblings that there will be some form of concession announced at the next fare revision.
I don’t think we can take Milton’s comments to mean that half price fares for people on income support are guaranteed. I think the only way to ensure this concession is restored fully is to push them hard to clarify: is Milton’s statement correct or not? Surely the GLA press office would provide a statement…..?
This question has been asked many times both by the press and assembly members. I have asked Boris the question directly as well and he refused to be drawn on it. This is why I am still sceptical about Milton’s comment. It would be worth another question to the press office in light of his comments though.
You guys are real piffle merchants.
Look at TfL’s annual report and accounts.
Last year bus subsidies went up 7% from £617 million to £659 million. Whilst £7 million is a lot of cash it is a spit in the bucket. There are much bigger fish to fry than the Venezuelan deal and the Mayor will be sensible if he concentrates on his strategy and leaves you guys to talk amongst yourselves.
If it’s so piffling, why has Boris allowed the deal to end? A Londoner on Income Support cannot now register for this scheme. Under the previous Mayor they would undoubtedly have been able to do so now as the deal would have been renewed.
If the amount involved is such small fry, why hasn’t Boris just agreed to the discount continuing while he works out how to fund it? The simple fact is that he put ending the Venezuelan deal for political posturing reasons ahead of the needs of thousands of the poorest Londoners.
I couldn’t care less if he gets the money from Venezuela or not (although I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth). I do care if someone’s going to double bus fares for the poor. Don’t you, Phil?