'Chaos' Complaints over Freedom Passes

2.53.03pm GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

Local pensioners applying through Post Offices for a new Freedom Pass have hit all kind of administrative hurdles and delays caused by the inability of London Councils - the joint body administering the scheme - to handle the volume of applications. There are reports of pensioners in Post Offices bursting into tears because their applications have got lost in the system. Vincent Cable MP warned about the problems being caused as a result of a complicated new system - designed to avoid fraud - including new photographs and a new processing system, via the Post Office, not involving the local council.

"I have had several local pensioners approaching my office for help absolutely furious after ringing help lines which don't answer or are always engaged. I understand that Post Offices are helping pensioners whose applications have disappeared to reapply; but then finish up with multiple Freedom Passes, which leads to the kind of abuse this upheaval was designed to avoid."