Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs have vowed to lobby the chancellor and Justine Greening, the transport secretary,to cap increases at 1 per cent above inflation at most, warning that steep increases will dampen their support among commuters in marginal seats.
The Conservative MP for Harlow in Essex, Robert Halfon, told the Observer: "I have already written to Justine Greening. It is a simple cost-of-living issue. Many people in my constituency are on below-average earnings and commute into London, and they cannot afford these rises."
While Philip Davies, the Tory MP for Shipley in Yorkshire, said big rises would choke off economic revival.
"It is absolutely essential that this decision is changed. Government should be on the side of the people – not hitting them where it hurts most. It is very difficult to see how we can get out of a recession when these kinds of increases leave people with even less money to spend."
Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "With so many Conservative MPs in marginal 'commuter' seats, it is pretty clear that if ministers do not back down, they will be hit hard in the ballot box."
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