Threatened changes to Londoners’ much prized Freedom Pass are now reported to have been blocked. But in case the threat rears its head again, it’s worth asking why they were proposed in the first place – and sharpening weapons against such an eventuality. Part of the armoury should be a calculation of the damage that might be inflicted on the capital’s silver market? In other words how much might London’s businesses and attractions by expected to lose? And how seriously would they undermine the Government’s stated intention to help older people return to work? For readers unfamiliar with this latest risk to the benefits of “wealthy” pensioners, it has been suggested that underground and surface train fares now covered by the pass might be removed, leaving it valid only for buses. The claim in favour is that the benefit costs £372m a year. Besides the effects on those in need of travel for unavoidable reasons including work or regular hospital appointments, such a move would surely dent discretionary spending, such as the odd shopping trip (more purchases would shift online but when people browse in shops they may buy something else on impulse – and go for coffee and/or lunch). As just one, random example, consider a couple, living in underground Zone 3, buying two year long memberships to the National Gallery – current total price £236. Realising full value in admission to special exhibitions, might effectively add about £50 to the annual cost of getting there. If deterred sufficiently to curb their enthusiasm for great art they might also spend less in the gallery’s shop and eateries – and at other nearby restaurants and shops. And bear in mind that this is almost always off peak expenditure, when most working people are otherwise occupied. In midweek at any such exhibition – from the British Museum to Tate Modern – the majority of visitors are among this association’s target audience, boosting London’s economy and sharpening their appetite for spending more on similar outings to other parts of the UK.
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