Camden election candidates pledge support for Freedom Pass at Age UK hustings

Candidates from the four main parties standing in the council election debated issues affecting the borough’s older people at a hustings event held at Camden Town Hall.

The Camden branch of elderly charity Age UK organised the debate on Monday afternoon offering residents the chance to question council candidates on their policies for older people.

Green Party candidate Sian Berry, Conservative councillor Don Williams, Liberal Democrat Anne Ward and Cllr Pat Callaghan, Labour’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, made up the panel of speakers.

All four candidates pledged their support for the council’s Freedom Pass fund, with Cllr Callaghan describing the pass as “one of the best things that happened to me”.

There were also calls from Cllr Williams for increased funding to community centres and lunch clubs hits by council cuts.

Gary Jones, chief executive of Age UK Camden, said: “I hope that the four parties who were represented at the hustings will take on board the comments raised at the meeting, along with Age UK London’s manifesto for local council elections, to ensure that Camden is a borough where older people are supported and their contribution valued.”

Age UK London’s manifesto for the local council elections is available online at ageuklondon.org.uk or by calling Age UK Camden on 020 7239 0400.