The changes to the Motability scheme are a “direct attack” on disabled people and “nothing short of ridiculous”, benefits claimants have said.
The Motability scheme leases vehicles to disabled people on some mobility benefits, including the highest level of personal independence payment (PIP). With rising numbers of people becoming eligible in recent years, Motability now supports more than 890,000 people.
From Wednesday 1 July, Motability users will have their leases reduced from 20,000 miles a year to 10,000 miles and while the the excess mileage charge will increase from from 5p per mile to 25p for new applications.
Rob Franks, who lives in Poole, and is an above-the-knee amputee, said the changes have left many users “petrified” about losing their independence.
‘Attack on disabled people’
The 47-year-old told The i Paper: “These changes are a complete attack on disabled people.
“I feel the changes are far too excessive,” he said. “While we all fully understand that costs need to be saved, at what cost to the end users?”
This comes after the government announced in the Autumn Budget in November that it would remove VAT and Insurance Premium Tax breaks on Motability cars, although the Government pulled back at wider reform to the welfare system which is due to rise by £74bn in the next five years, the butdget watchdog has said.
Franks said that the limit is unrealistic for disabled people, who have to drive further for hospital and specialist appointments.
He said he already drives 40 miles a day round trip to work as a cover teacher. “That’s before going to any hospital appointments, or god forbid, going out with the family,” Franks said.
Franks drives around 15,000 miles per year and said that he will have to leave the scheme after his lease ends as he cannot afford to pay the more than £4,000 excess he would be charged.
Motability has also introduced a Drive Smart app, which monitors how new users and those under 30 drive, tracking the number of trips taken each day.
It recommends that drivers take a break every hour and limit themselves to no more than six journeys a day. If that is exceeded, the driver will receive a red score, although it will not affect their lease.
Drivers who receive more than four red ratings over 12 months could be removed from the scheme.
“Being disabled is hard enough without this on top,” he added. “The disabled seem to be being attacked at every corner at the moment and this must stop.”
Franks said he knows many disabled people who have already handed their cars back due to the changes, which he said will leave people housebound (Photo: Rob Franks)‘I won’t be able to see my girlfriend’
Darren Newsome, who is also an amputee and lives in York, said the 50 per cent reduction in mileage allowance is “shocking” and will prevent disabled people from visiting friends and family.
Newsome, a father of two sons, said: “If you’re stuck in the house, you’re going to get down; you’re going to be depressed. Your life is limited to your four walls.”
The unemployed 55-year-old said that the mileage allowance would only cover taking his youngest son to school, which takes 30 miles.
“Then there is family that you can’t go and see. I would have to end my relationship with my girlfriend because I won’t have the miles to go and see her,” he added.
Motability drivers under the age of 30 will be required to have their vehicles fitted with compulsory black boxes.
£300m added to the Motability scheme cost
Motability said that the government’s Autumn Budget will add around £300m per year to the cost of running scheme by the end of the decade.
The company said this would cost around £1,100 extra per lease, without the changes announced.
According to Motability, 73 per cent of customers currently drive 10,000 miles or less per year, meaning the majority of users will not be affected by the new mileage allowance.
A spokesperson for Motability said: “There were no easy ways to make changes that reduce costs and we worked hard to offset the impact of the tax change.
“Changing the mileage allowance of future leases lowers insurance and maintenance costs, and increases the vehicle’s resale cost, which reduces the cost of a lease.
“Any additional mileage is charged at a rate that reflects the real cost of higher use, including maintenance, insurance, and wear and tear.”
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Supporting disabled people will always be our top priority.“Motability have acknowledged that there will be an impact on some customers from these mileage changes, so they are looking into how the impact can be mitigated in some limited circumstances.“We’re reforming Motability to save the taxpayer £1bn over five years and put money back in people’s pockets.”
The spokesperson added that the changes to motability tax reliefs announced at the budget will not apply to current leases or wheelchair adapted vehicles.
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