Youngsters who leave care to get half price London bus travel in new 'fare deal'

08 October 2023 , 21:30

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New discounts for young people who leave care in London have been announced (file image) (Image: Getty Images)

Young people who leave care will be given a "helping hand" in the form of half price bus and tram travel in London, Sadiq Khan has announced.

The capital's mayor said care leavers aged between 18 and 25 will be entitled to the discounted rate to help them make the move to living independently. The 'fare deal for care leavers' is designed to help them access new opportunities, with alarming data showing those who grew up in care are three times less likely to be in education, employment or training.

It is estimated that there are 15,200 young people living in London who have left care after they turn 18. A grant of £2,000 awarded to them when they leave has failed to keep up with inflation, experts say.

Mr Khan said that coming out of care can be "daunting", adding: "Many care leavers lack the appropriate resources to continue training or gain meaningful employment once leaving care, which can, in turn, lead to both financial and emotional hardship.

“I am determined to improve the London-wide offer for care leavers, and our new 'fare deal for care-leavers' will give these young people a helping hand to thrive in this next stage of their lives, building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”

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And Lucy Ivankovic, Interim Head of London Children's Services at charity Barnardo's, said she was "absolutely delighted". She said: "Barnardo's Transport for Freedom campaign has been calling for transport authorities to create bespoke schemes for care leavers who are struggling with the cost-of-living and do not have the 'bank of mum and dad' to top up their fare. This new scheme introduced in London will be a lifeline for care leavers who rely on public transport to access education and employment, and will help to reduce their isolation and loneliness.”

Twenty-one-year-old Sonny, who is a member of the TfL Youth Board, said it would be a massive boost for people like him who had lived in care. He sadi: "It’s scary to leave care and with how tough it can sometimes be as a care leaver to study and find work, this is going to really help so many people be more financially secure.”

Mr Khan said many care leavers remain vulnerable and face complex challenges that mean few of them go onto further training or university than those who haven’t lived in care. Analysis by the Children's Society found that the cost of staying in education or finding a job or apprenticeship is higher for those who have lived in care.

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Dave Burke