The Government has responded to a petition to scrap proposed changes to the Motability scheme (Image: Getty)
The Government has responded to calls to scrap proposed Motability changes. It is thought these changes will cost the average affected person up to £400.
Motability is a scheme that enables disabled people to exchange their qualifying mobility allowance for a new car, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), a scooter, or a powered wheelchair. It offers a lease package that includes insurance, maintenance, servicing, and breakdown cover.
But if the amendments go ahead, users of the car scheme will have to pay Insurance Premium Tax and VAT on newly leased vehicles. It will also remove premium brands such as brands like Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as coupes and convertibles, from the scheme.
Announcing the changes in the Autumn Budget, Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The Motability scheme was set up to protect the most vulnerable, not to subsidise the lease on a Mercedes-Benz, and so I am making reforms that will reduce generous taxpayer subsidies.
A petition currently signed by more than 40,000 people called for the changes to be scrapped (Image: Getty)
“Motability have confirmed that they will remove luxury vehicles from their scheme, getting the scheme back to its original purpose of offering cost-effective leases to disabled people.” The proposed changes have been met with backlash, including a petition currently signed by more than 40,000 people that calls for them to be scrapped.
The petition said: “The recent budget has announced taxes on advanced payments and a decrease in mileage allowances. We believe this is unfair to the most vulnerable in society and could affect their independence.
“Many disabled people earn considerably less than average and a cost increase could mean they struggle to get a car. Many disabled people also need to use their car for short journeys, where others may be able to walk, and mileage soon adds up because of this.
“While those living in big cities could potentially rely on public transport, public transport is often rare in rural areas, which may potentially take people’s independence away.” The Government has now responded to the petition, stating that the changes will go ahead.
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A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “The Government and Motability have worked in partnership to develop reforms which strike the right balance between delivering a key service for disabled people and fairness to the taxpayer.”
They claimed the changes could result in savings of more than £1 billion. “The Government and Motability have worked in partnership to develop a suite of reforms which strikes the right balance between delivering a key service for disabled people and fairness to the taxpayer, saving over £1 billion by financial year 2030/31,” they said.
“These reforms will not affect eligibility for the Motability Scheme or disability benefits.”
The spokesperson added: “In determining these changes, Motability have taken careful steps to ensure the Scheme remains good value and accessible for disabled people. This includes engaging with Scheme customers about prospective changes, the feedback from which has informed the changes.”
To read the response in full and to see the petition, visit the Parliamentary petition website here.
