What we learned from our Mayoral Hustings for Older Londoners

Last month, Age UK London held its mayoral hustings for older Londoners. The first big hustings of the mayoral campaign, attendees journeyed from across the city to hear first-hand how the four leading candidates would foster an age-inclusive London. 

We were delighted to be joined by Councillor Zoë Garbett of the London Greens, Councillor Nick McLean representing Susan Hall for the Conservatives, Deputy Mayor Joanne McCartney representing Mayor Sadiq Khan, and London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari representing the Liberal Democrats’ candidate Rob Blackie.  

Read on to learn how they’d address just some of the issues raised by older Londoners. 

Addressing pension poverty 

Poverty amongst older Londoners is rising at a faster rate than those outside of London. As we reflected in a report last year, a quarter of Londoners over the age of 50 live in poverty. Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, the need for decisive action from the next Mayor of London is clear. 

It was fitting, then, that our hustings kicked off with the panellists questioned on how they’ll alleviate pension poverty. The Greens’ Zoë Garbett underlined the significance of increasing uptake of pension credit – a benefit of which an estimated £250 million a year is left unclaimed in London alone. Beyond ensuring access to support, Zoë pledged to make the ‘everyday’ more affordable, presenting the case for a rent commission that will help bring private rents down.  

Labour’s Joanne McCartney, recognising the growing proportion of older Londoners living below the poverty line, lamented the direct consequences of sky-high inflation that this group will feel. Joanne highlighted Mayor Sadiq Khan’s pension credit uptake campaign, which has been renewed and expanded to reach more London boroughs.  

The Conservatives’ Nick McLean affirmed the importance of ensuring no Londoner lives in poverty. In combatting poverty amongst older Londoners, Nick stressed the role of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which he described as ‘a tax on the poorest of society.’ He pledged that a Conservative Mayor would remove the scheme on day one, as well as cut back on what the Conservatives deem to be wasteful spending. 

Hina Bokhari of the Liberal Democrats cited the importance of an Economy Committee investigation into improving work opportunities for older Londoners, of which our CEO Abi Wood contributed. Calling for more focus on long-term solutions, Hina described the need for bespoke in-person advice on how households can manage their finances and reduce the cost of bills.  

Tackling the digital divide 

While many of us take for granted the convenience of increasing digitalisation, there remains a sizeable contingent of Londoners who don’t have online access – particularly those who are older. When public bodies fail to provide offline alternatives, this can cause a host of difficulties. 

The panellists offered their approaches to tackling the digital divide. Nick McLean stated outright that no Londoner should be excluded because of digital technology, and that a Conservative mayor will work more closely with boroughs to ensure as many older Londoners as possible are reached via offline alternatives. Nick cited Susan Hall’s background as a former council leader as crucial experience in this regard. 

Hina Bokhari expressed her concern that where support hubs exist for older people, they often don’t cater sufficiently to those without online access. This, Hina claimed, coupled with an underutilised adult education budget that could be put towards more digital skills training, must be addressed. A Liberal Democrat mayor, Hina assured us, would also seek to maintain places of access; libraries – a vital source of online access for those who can’t afford broadband – face a persistent threat of closure.  

Demonstrating the importance of maintaining offline options, the Greens’ Zoë Garbett reflected on her own struggles in navigating daily life with online-only options. Zoë celebrated the Greens’ campaigns advocating for paper tickets, maintaining ticket offices at train stations, as well as the importance of cash. To further hold decision-makers to account on these issues, Zoë pledged to instate an Elders Champion. 

Describing the crucial role that digital technology now plays in keeping in touch with loved ones and handling daily life admin, Joanne McCartney pointed to Mayor Khan’s ‘Get Online’ programme – the first digital inclusion service of its kind in the capital. Endorsing the GLA’s pension credit campaign, Joanne highlighted its success in reaching underserved older people via posting physical materials, instead of relying on digital methods of communication. 

Reinstating pre-9am travel 

Before the COVID pandemic, older Londoners could use their Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster Card for free travel on the Transport for London (TfL) network at any time of day. But now, these travel concessions are only available after 9am. For older Londoners, many of whom benefited from free early travel to attend medical appointments, or tend to caring responsibilities, this is a much-missed element of support.  

Labour’s Joanne McCartney outlined the significant impact the pandemic had on TfL’s finances, arguing that this, in addition to insufficient transport funding from central government, meant that cuts had to be made. Nevertheless, Joanne praised Mayor Sadiq Khan in steadfastly protecting the 60+ Oyster Card, at a time when its continuation was uncertain. 

Nick McLean stated that, as Mayor of London, Susan Hall would be committed to reinstating free pre-9am travel. To fund this, Nick promised a Conservative mayor would reprioritise existing funding from central government. 

Should finances allow, Hina Bokhari assured us that a Liberal Democrat mayor would seek to increase travel concessions for older Londoners. Hina also recognised that travel concessions are just one crucial element of improving transport accessibility in London, calling for more investment in TfL’s Dial-a-Ride service, improved transport links in outer London and more step-free stations.  

Criticising the unaffordability of London’s public transport, Zoë Garbett assured the room that she would fully reinstate free pre-9am travel for older Londoners. Acknowledging that inaccessible transport can drive social isolation, Zoë stressed the need for upgrading TfL’s bus fleet to provide more room for mobility aids, and fitting more loos on the tube network. 

Getting your voice heard 

We were grateful for the panellists’ time and insights on how the next Mayor of London could foster a more age-inclusive city. Come the 2nd of May, it’s our hope that as many older Londoners as possible are fully equipped with awareness of what each candidate offers, as well as the new requirements around presenting photo ID and changes to the voting system. You can find our short guide on election preparedness here.  

To watch the full hustings, click here. 

Dom Taylor is Campaigns Support Officer at Age UK London