I have just been leafleting outside Haggerston station, to show my support for local Hackney commuters and my opposition to the increasing train fares.
Across London, the average fare has risen by 5.6% this year with Tube, bus, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, boats and Tram services affected. But some commuters will find their season tickets are rising by more than this. My message is simple: voting for Boris is not a joke - he puts your fares up!
This is the wrong fare rise at the wrong time, taking money out of people’s pockets when the London economy is struggling and when people are very hard pressed. That’s why I’m backing Ken Livingstone, the Labour mayoral candidate’s pledge to cut fares by seven per cent, returning fares to 2011 levels if he becomes London mayor following May' s elections.
Health Matters
The ongoing uncertainty faced by many patients with breast implants by French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) is causing great anxiety to many women and the Health Secretary needs to take a much clearer lead in dealing with it.
Mixed messages from the Department have not helped and families affected are looking for a stronger response from the Government. Patients' stories are emerging suggesting that the response from some private providers has been completely inadequate. For instance, it is simply unacceptable for women whose implants have ruptured, causing pain and discomfort, to be referred back to the NHS. They need urgent help.
What the thousands of women affected need is for the Government to agree a clear protocol with the private cosmetic surgery industry setting out the support that they will provide to help women through this difficult situation.