Bus Pass Stupidity

The national media has widely reported the possible means testing for senior citizens’ bus passes this week.  The Local Government Association is reported to be consulting members about the possibility of introducing means testing as part of the application process for bus passes for the over 60’s.

I do not believe any thought of this is a fair and equitable way to treat many people who have worked and saved hard for all of their working lives.   The honest truth is that the LGA and local authorities are looking at means of achieving significant cost savings by whatever means they can, obviously irrespective of who they penalise as a result.  

Suggestion has been made that local authorities may not just be seeking to poke their noses into what a retiree’s income may be, but also to ascertain whether or not someone who applies for a senior’s travel pass either owns a car or has the use of a car.  This is an insult to the intelligence of people who have paid their dues to society over their working lives, and is yet another case of town hall staff being handed carte blanche to pry into peoples’ lives.

With regard to the income means test, over the past twelve years, the system in this country has become obsessed about means income means testing for just about everything under the sun.  Of course, we do know where the obsession with means testing comes from.  All of this nonsense originates right from the top of national government, the Prime Minister himself is widely known as a great advocate of this regressive and indiscriminate means to an end.

My own thoughts are that local authorities, via the Local Government Association are going to attempt to shirk their responsibilities to Britain’s senior citizens, responsibilities which they are required to fulfil by statute.  This madness must not be permitted to go ahead.