MPs give their vote to Penny for London

 
MPs' support: London MPs gather on College Green to promote the Penny for London campaign Picture: Glenn Copus
Joseph Watts4 November 2014

The capital’s MPs have united across the political divide to back the Penny for London charity scheme.

The unprecedented project will enable thousands of commuters to donate every day and promises to raise millions for London’s charities.

MPs gathered outside Parliament to hail the scheme, which will in particular help charities supporting disadvantaged young people. Under the initiative, commuters register a contactless debit card so they can donate money from it each time it is used to travel on the Underground, a train or bus.

Simon Hughes, Lib-Dem MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “This is a really good and easy way for people to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Most of us make journeys every day. So just as a little extra on a bill at a cafe or restaurant can go almost unnoticed, so a little extra as you travel could mean a small amount to us but a big amount to others.”

Cardholders can register via the Penny for London website, www.pennyforlondon.com, and select the amount they wish to donate per journey between 1p and 10p.

Tottenham’s Labour MP David Lammy said: “This is possibly the easiest, most straightforward and convenient way to give to good causes. Despite busy lives we all recognise that, whether in international development or in health and social care, there’s much more we need to do.

“So making it easier to make that contribution on a daily basis could be revolutionary.”

If 100,000 people sign up to the scheme in 2015, it could raise more than £1 million. If one in 10 Londoners sign up, the amount could rise to more than £15 million.

The Mayor’s Fund will collect the cash and give it to groups helping disadvantaged young Londoners, with 10 per cent going to the Evening Standard’s Dispossessed Fund.

Enfield North Conservative MP Nick De Bois said Londoners were “no shrinking violets” when it came to helping charities and he hoped they will back the “exciting scheme” .

More information: www.pennyforlondon.com

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