Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage is today celebrating news that the Ministry of Defence will restore the entitlement to Home to Duty Travel allowance for service personnel travelling to work on the Gosport & Hayling Ferries.
Caroline has campaigned for this policy to be reinstated for three years, raising the matter with Ministers from both the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Transport. At present, those commuting to Portsmouth from Gosport can claim expenses for travel that they make by road but not by water, thus encouraging service personnel to travel by car. However, today's announcement will promote a much more sustainable journey to work, reducing congestion on key routes such as the A32 and Newgate Lane.
Welcoming the news, Caroline said:
"After many years of letter writing, parliamentary questions and ministerial visits, I am delighted that the MoD has decided to overturn its existing policy and actively encourage service personnel to commute between Gosport and Portsmouth on the Gosport Ferry. This is a much more sustainable option; taking cars off local roads at peak times, reducing pollution, promoting a healthier lifestyle and cutting MoD costs.
I would like to thank the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP, who visited Gosport last year when he recognised the potential that the Gosport Ferry has to alleviate local road congestion and backed my campaign for the reinstatement of this important entitlement."
The Managing Director of Gosport Ferry, John Foster, added:
"I am delighted to hear that the MoD has agreed to reverse its policy and will allow its staff to claim expenses for commuting on the Gosport Ferry once more. Not only will the MoD's decision help our small business, it will also make an important contribution to keeping MoD spending under control. Caroline's help was critical to securing this change which will benefit all commuters in Gosport."
The entitlement will be reinstated with effect from 1 May 2014.
