The late Illtyd Harrington with his Freedom Pass

POTENTIAL plans to scrap or limit free travel for the over-60s would hit the lifestyles of older people and increase costs for the NHS and social care, experts have warned.

London Councils – a body made up of the 32 boroughs and the City of London – are currently discussing whether they can cut a travel scheme that allows the over-60s to use buses and trains after 9.30am each day free of charge.

The pass, treasured by so many pensioners, was the brainchild of Illtyd Harrington, the former deputy leader of the Greater London Council and the New Journal’s late literary editor.

He had fought all past attempts to remove the dispensation before his death 10 years ago, seeing the benefits in tackling social isolation in old age.

The authorities are now saying that the bill is going up due to an ageing population and could hit £500million a year by 2030.

Age UK Camden’s chief executive Ross Diamond also said this week changing the terms would have hidden costs.

He told the New Journal: “Age UK Camden is concerned to see discussions emerging about restricting or completely removing the Freedom Pass. For many older Londoners, the ability to travel across the city after 9.30 without having to worry about the cost is a vital part of keeping healthy and connected.”

Age UK’s research has revealed that over-50s living in poverty was highest in London compared to anywhere else in the UK, while more than one in five Londoners over 80 live within the government criteria for poverty.

Mr Diamond added: “Social isolation is one key effect of this financial hardship. Restricting older people’s ability to travel around our great city would significantly increase this – adding to the financial burdens of the NHS and council social care budgets as well as making people’s lives significantly worse.”

He added that a winter fuel payments-style means test would restrict those eligible for the Freedom Pass.

“It could mean that many of the most vulnerable older residents miss out on this vital lifeline – which connects them to friends, family and all that Camden and London have to offer,” he said.

Celia Cockburn is a Camden-based older person who uses her card regularly to get out and about.

She told the New Journal: “I volunteer for a range of charities, cultural institutions, and London boroughs. I enjoy being able to participate, to meet and work with other people, and to support communities. Much of this would be extremely difficult or impossible to do without the Freedom Pass.

“Additionally, having the Freedom Pass encourages me to stay active. Having had a lifetime of teaching and working with disabled people, I would find it soul-destroying to have to stay home. It feels as though older people constantly are seen as negative, and ‘users’, when we often are out there supporting activities when working people are unable to help.”

And she said the card scheme was already restrictive, due to the post-9.30am rule.

She said: “This can make it extremely difficult to attend clinics and hospitals. Many charities moved starting times later, as they had to acknowledge that starting when they had before June 2020 would no longer allow older people to arrive on time.

“We are part of our communities and want to continue to participate and support them as long as physically possible. The Freedom Pass helps us to do this.”

A London Councils spokesperson said the proposals were not confirmed and discussions were continuing and subject to parliamentary legislation.

They added: “London Councils is reviewing the best way to manage the rising cost. Costs are forecast to increase by 12 per cent in 2026-27, from £333m to £372m, primarily driven by the rise in journeys being taken by Freedom Pass holders and fares increases.

“Forecasts suggest that they could reach £0.5billion by the end of the decade. The scheme has not been fully funded by government for over a decade. At a time when boroughs face significant financial pressures and must look at all areas of spend, the scheme’s fast-rising costs are a concern. We want to ensure a sustainable future for the scheme and are working with partners to explore how we achieve this.”

Camden’s environment chief, Labour councillor Adam Harrison, said they would oppose any changes.

He said: “Camden’s Labour Council opposes any changes that would result in restrictions on who is eligible for a Freedom Pass or what modes of transport people can use the pass on.

“The pass is a lifeline for many people in Camden and across London. We will be campaigning strongly to keep the Freedom Pass.”