Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Tom Gordon is challenging disabled bus pass restrictions.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough’s longstanding campaign to remove time restrictions on disabled bus passes was raised in Parliament this week.
During questions to the Department for Work and Pensions, he asked what work had been carried out across government to review the current rules, which can limit when some disabled passengers are able to use their bus passes.
Tom Gordon has been campaigning for the removal of these restrictions, calling for a joined-up approach between departments.
He suggested that improving access to public transport could help reduce wider costs, including missed medical appointments and barriers to employment.
He’s drawn attention to cases like that of Josie Caven, a Town Councillor and Deaf person who backs the campaign.
She said:
"When I was invited to my first job interview at 18 I was dismayed to discover that my bus pass was not valid until 9am.
"The pass dictated the jobs I could take, the hours I could work.
"It creates a far bigger bill for the government when they create a barrier to work rather than making sure disabled people can get there before 9am like everyone else.”
Tom said:
“We need these Departments to start joining up the dots.
"It’s all linked.
"The nominal saving one department makes denying disabled people basic transport access will cost another department more.
“I will leave no stone unturned when it comes to doing away with the silly restrictions on disabled bus passes.
"Getting to work shouldn’t be a post-code lottery.
“We need to do all we can to empower people with disabilities to live independently.”
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