Update on Liverpool City Region transport fees and charges

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will consider a range of proposed transport fees and charges including Mersey Tunnel Tolls later this month.

Under the proposals to be considered at this month's Combined Authority meeting, local Mersey Tunnel users will continue to pay the lowest tolls, while the cost of the young person's MyTicket, which allows all-day unlimited bus travel for under-19s, will remain frozen for the eighth year running.

A discounted Mersey Tunnel journey for Liverpool City Region residents with a T Flow account will rise by 10p to £1.50; meaning that a majority of tunnel users will be paying 30p less than when the Mayor was 1st elected in 2017.

The change will mean City Region residents; who account for 51% of journeys; would still pay nearly half the maximum amount authorised under the Tunnels Act (£2.80), and the same toll as in 2007.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on families across our Region, I want to make sure we're doing what we can to make travel as accessible, fair, and affordable for everyone. As well as freezing the young person's MyTicket and maintaining the £2 bus fares cap, we're continuing to ensure that City Region residents pay the lowest prices to travel around our area; whether by bus, train or car. Thousands upon thousands of residents will benefit from these proposals and we are committed to keep prices affordable, while continuing to improve our public transport system. We are beginning to see those improvements take hold. Our publicly owned trains serve one of the highest performing rail networks in the country, we've already built 2 new train stations and are building four more, and work is well underway to take back control of our buses. By the end of 2027, we will have public control of our bus network and will be able to better integrate it with the wider transport system."

The expected authorised rate for class one vehicles, as prescribed by the Tunnels Act, is £2.80, for 2025 to 2026, and under the legislation tunnel tolls are allowed to rise in line with inflation. However, the Combined Authority can consider economic and social factors when setting tolls; and has consistently used its power to keep tolls as low as possible for all users, and more recently particularly for Liverpool City Region residents.

With a combined age of 143 years the Queensway (Birkenhead) and Kingsway (Wallasey) tunnels require millions of pounds each year to help keep them open and safe, as well as a future investment programmes to ensure we provide the cross-river services people of Liverpool City Region deserve.

Maintenance and electricity costs for both tunnels have increased significantly in recent years and they are now more expensive than ever to maintain; electricity costs alone are more than £2m a year.

Recent investments include an £11m LED lighting upgrade to the Queensway Tunnel which will reduce the carbon output by 60%. The new lighting system was formally switched on last night, mirroring a similar project completed in the Kingsway Tunnel in 2018 at a cost of £7.5m. In addition, a project to replace 36 jet fans which keep fresh air flowing throughout the Kingsway Tunnel, is almost complete at a cost of £1.5m.

Millions of pounds have also been invested in modernising Mersey Tunnel payment systems including the introduction of T Flow video tolling in 2021, and an improved tap and go card payment system in November this year. The new technology has halved transaction times and improved traffic flow; reducing air pollution on the toll plaza during busy periods.

The Mersey Tunnels are a critical cross river route for the City Region and a key bus corridor supporting economic growth. They are not part of the national road network and receive no Government funding to support their operation and upkeep.

Any surplus generated by the Mersey Tunnels can only be used to reinvest into transport infrastructure and service improvements across the City Region; such as supported school bus services and reducing public transport fares.

The Combined Authority report also proposes changes to fares to multi operator tickets and Mersey Ferries, all in line with inflation to ensure those services remain sustainable.

The price of a MyTicket has been frozen since 2017 and will stay at £2.20; remaining 1 of the cheapest child tickets in the country.

As previously announced, the £2 bus fare introduced by the Mayor will remain until September 2025. Cross river bus services remain capped at £2, a saving of £1.40.

The Region will also continue to provide the most generous concessionary travel scheme outside of London, with local residents receiving free travel passes at 60; seven years ahead of the national scheme.

The Combined Authority meeting will take place on:- Friday, 20 December 2024.

Get your Child Benefit claim wrapped up in time for baby's 1st Christmas

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals more than one million families have claimed Child Benefit using the new digital service launched earlier this year. New parents are reminded if they claim online or through the HMRC app, they could get their payment in time for their baby's 1st Christmas.

Child Benefit is worth £1,331 a year for the 1st child and £881 a year for each additional child. It can be claimed online at GOV.UK or via the HMRC app just 48 hours after registering a baby's birth and parents typically receive their 1st payment within 3 working days.

Parents are opting to claim for Child Benefit digitally because it is quick and simple to do. Latest figures show 87% of new claims each month are via the app or online; ensuring more parents are getting their cash quicker.

Downloading the free HMRC app makes managing claims even easier too. Families can use the app to track payments and update their details on the go; from changing their address or bank details, to seeing when their next payment is landing.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "Having a baby is a busy and expensive time, but claiming Child Benefit online or via the app means you'll get cash in your bank account as soon as possible. Claim now and you could get your 1st payment in time for your baby's 1st Christmas. Download the HMRC app today."

Claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks, so the sooner families claim, the better. Child Benefit is typically paid every 4 weeks.

To get started, parents will need to create an online account for HMRC services. To make a claim, families will need:-

• Child's birth or adoption certificate.
  

• Bank details.
  

• National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have 1.
  

• Child's original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.

HMRC has released a YouTube video which explains what new parents need to do and how to make a claim.

If either parent has individual income between:- £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income.
Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.

If families claimed Child Benefit before:- 6 April 2024, and the higher earner had an individual income of over £50,000, they may have to pay the tax charge for 2023 to 2024. If they need to pay the charge, they must register for Self Assessment.

Families who were subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge when the threshold was £50,000 and opted out of payments are able to restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app if they choose to.

There's more to Child Benefit than just payments though, as claimants receive National Insurance (NI) credits which count toward their future eligibility for the State Pension. This can help people who are not in paid employment and not receiving NI credits through their employer or other routes, such as Universal Credit.

A person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive NI credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.

Claiming Child Benefit also makes sure the child automatically gets their National Insurance number when they turn 16.