'Four out of five unemployed Londoners are missing out' - Mike Tuffrey

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Jul 2009

Mike Tuffrey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on today's London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee report on fares and the impact of the recession said:

"The report rightly points out that it is people on low incomes who are hit hardest by fare changes.

"I therefore find it bitterly disappointing that at a time of rising unemployment across the whole of London four out of five unemployed people on Jobseekers Allowance are missing out on the concession of half price bus and tram travel.

"The Mayor had the good sense to adopt my proposal of extending half price bus and tram travel to Londoners who are out of work and claiming JSA. However, it is time to make a real success of the policy and ensure far more unemployed Londoners benefit from this important concession. More publicity and promotion of this important concession is now needed.

"This coming Wednesday will almost certainly see a further steep rise in unemployment, probably in every London borough. There has never been a more important time to provide a helping hand to people on low incomes who are searching for work."

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