Harrow council has U-turned on plans to cut new free travel passes for residents suffering from severe mental health issues following a backlash from campaigners and charities. The scrapping of the transport scheme was criticised as it would remove an ‘indispensable lifeline’ to some of the most vulnerable people.
Since 1973, there has been a scheme that provides Londoners either with a disability or above the state pension age with free travel on public transport – called a Freedom Pass. Some councils also issue discretionary passes to disabled people who do not meet the statutory criteria, with Harrow Council having provided them to people with acute mental health issues for more than ten years.
Mind in Harrow, a charity that supports residents in the borough dealing with mental health issues, had expressed “deep concerns” with the plan to stop them. It claimed it could have “severe and life-threatening consequences” for the most vulnerable.
However, the council tabled plans to cease offering the passes to new applicants in a bid to “ensure a diligent and balanced budget”. It was initially proposed to reduce adult social care costs so it could continue to provide “safe, efficient, high-quality core services”.
But in what has been dubbed a victory for campaigners, mental health charities and residents, the proposal, which would have saved just £18,000 over three years, has been scrapped. The council concluded that “the expected saving is surpassed by the strength of feeling and therefore the scheme should remain open to new applicants”.
Finley Harnett, who works as a parliamentary assistant for a Labour MP, highlighted the issue at a Harrow Council cabinet meeting last year (1 September). Following the decision, he said: “I’m delighted my campaign to save Discretionary Freedom Passes has been successful.”
He added: “This is a huge victory for residents who opposed, and for local charities and organisations who raised concerns, including Mind In Harrow and Voluntary Action Harrow. Most of all, though, this is a victory for the vulnerable residents in Harrow who rely on these passes.”
There are currently 206 recipients of the discretionary pass in the borough. If it had gone ahead, the plan would not withdraw existing passes but rather make them unavailable to new applicants. Local MP Gareth Thomas had called the plan “shocking” and said the decision not to go ahead with it would be a “relief for many vulnerable residents”.
Mr Harnett said: “The cuts shouldn’t have been on the table in the first place, the decision took far too long, but I’m glad Harrow Council has finally bowed to pressure.”
