Boris Johnson: Give 'hard-working' commuters a tax break on rail season tickets

 
Boris Johnson: Called for a tax break on rail season tickets
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, delivers his speech in the Main Hall of Manchester Central on the third day, and penultimate day, of the Conservative Party Conference on October 1, 2013 in Manchester, England. David
Pippa Crerar7 October 2013

Boris Johnson today called on the Government to give “hard-working” commuters a tax break on the cost of their season ticket.

The Mayor said employees should be able to deduct the cost of their annual travel from their pre-tax income, saving them hundreds of pounds every year.

David Cameron is set to announce help for rail commuters on Wednesday as part of his drive to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. However, he is not expected to back Mr Johnson’s proposal as the Treasury would lose out.

The Prime Minister is likely to focus on other measures to reduce the cost of rail travel such as paying for season tickets in instalments.

Ministers have already announced that millions of commuters who work three or four days a week will be able to buy part-time season tickets.

An average season ticket will rise by 4.1 per cent next year, the 11th year in a row that commuters will face above-inflation fare rises.

The cost of rail travel will be a significant issue in the run-up to the general election, with all three parties expected to pledge to reduce fares.

Mr Johnson wrote in the Telegraph: “Yes, there would be a cost to the Treasury — but then every year the Government spends huge sums trying to hold fares down.

“You would allow continued investment in transport, and you would target your help at exactly the people who need it — not the millionaires and the tourists and the casual shoppers, but the hard-working people who are really turning the wheels of recovery.”

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