The Freedom Pass is one of the most useful facilities we have.
Kingston and Richmond, together with all of London’s local councils, have made it clear that the Freedom Pass will be fully funded no matter how they have to do it. It helps older people remain an active part of our community and promotes better health and a better quality of life.
But the Government looks set to force our local council taxpayers to pick up far more of the tab, halving the money expected by London this year from £58 million to only £28 million, while the rest of the country still gets its full amount.
Once again we are being treated unfairly.
The beauty of the Freedom Pass is that everyone gets it; we know that when means-testing is introduced those who need help the most often do not apply and get very intimidated by the paperwork (which is very costly in itself).
Very little time remains for the Government to be forced to rethink so if you feel strongly, please register your views online at www.susankramer.org.uk/pages/hands-off-our-freedom-pass.html
On a happier note, I was lucky enough to join the Medal Presentation Ceremony this week to welcome the medics of 256 Field Hospital (volunteers) back from Afghanistan. This unit has a base in Kingston and many volunteers are local people. The work they have been doing with our wounded soldiers just has to fill the whole community with pride. I was really relieved to hear how good our medical facilities are in Afghanistan. We all thank the soldiers and the medics.
But once again, a new report has highlighted the poor condition of military housing. I have to fight the Government constantly on this since Kingston is an important military housing location. Surely its high time for the Government to get this right.
