Labour MPs vote against free bus travel for disabled people

Derby Labour MPs Catherine Atkinson, Baggy Shanker, and Jonathan Davies all voted against the expansion of free bus travel for disabled people in Derby and Derbyshire.

The Labour MPs for Derby North, Derby South, and Mid Derbyshire (that cover Derby City) all voted on the 11th September against a Liberal Democrat amendment which would have expanded free bus travel for disabled people.

Derby Liberal Democrats said that our Labour MPs have “failed disabled people” by making it harder for them to get fair and accessible transport.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon’s amendment would have removed all time restrictions on the use of bus passes for disabled people and had wide cross-party support. Derby’s Liberal Democrats said that our Labour MPs have collectively “turned their back” on disabled people by voting against the amendment. The party has also called on the Government to scrap their ‘bus tax’ proposal of increasing the bus fare cap from £2 to £3.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Derby, Lucy Care said:

“The Labour Party has failed disabled people in our community. 

“Instead of giving people in often difficult circumstances the opportunity to access the transport they need, yet again our Labour MPs have turned their back on those most in need.

“The Government keeps saying they want to help get more disabled people get into work but then won’t even help them get the public transport they need to get to work.
“From the bus tax to now voting against giving greater access to transport for disabled people, this Labour government is failing to deliver the change people are crying out for.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The vote on the Liberal Democrat amendment can be found here.