Age related universal benefits are an outdated concept. Fixed sum assistance payments, such as the £10 Christmas bonus, the £100 heating allowance and the extra 15p per week added to the basic state pension of those aged over 80, should be scrapped. Inflation adjusted subsidy payments, such as the Freedom travel pass need to be reviewed due to the cost resulting from the increasingly high charge of public transport in London and the number of qualifying applicants.There are ,however , real benefits to a subsidised age related travel pass, convenience (no top ups needed) , encouragement of greater mobility, and reduced alternative car usage , but the idea that a reward in the form of a wholly subsidised -FREE -travel pass should somehow be given to those who have paid taxes and other levies over a lifetime is fundamentally flawed; A contribution to the cost of a travel pass needs to be made by most individuals and should be means tested.London boroughs administer the issue of travel passes to those entitled, and who also pay council tax to the same authority. Since council tax is banded according to house price, the contribution made by an individual to the cost of a travel pass could be governed according to the individual council tax band. Assuming the most needy live in the lowest rate band, then this could be issued at no cost ie Free, others living in higher band houses would pay on a scaled charge levied monthly with the council tax payment..At the same time the eligibility should be increased to 65 and not60 . It is tempting to make an exception for community key workers many of whom could fall into this age group, but this would involve tinkering and complicating an otherwise simple system.
colin mackay ● 2125d