Motability scheme represents the good, the bad and the ugly of modern Britain

Bank-owned PLC that contracted for charity paid its five bosses more than £15m and hoarded £2.6bn - much of which was tax payer cash paid to disabled people as benefits

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The Motability scheme truly represents the good, the bad and the ugly of modern Britain.

It has given hundreds of thousands of disabled people independence and allowed them to live rich and full lives. It has shown that we, as a nation, care about our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens and place great importance on their care and well being.

However, the ugly truth of the matter is the scheme has also been badly abused - by those making fraudulent DLA claims and, it would seem, by the bank-owned company that operates the scheme. And it has also shown the ugly side of 'crony' capitalism and the creeping privatisation of our country's social care system.

From Belfast Live

Motability drivers 'horrified' by compulsory black-box trackers

Motability drivers under the age of 30 say they are "horrified" by rule changes that mean their vehicles will be fitted with compulsory black boxes.

They will monitor driving habits, such as speed and braking, and will provide a weekly rating.

More than four red ratings over 12 months could see drivers removed from the Motability scheme, which allows eligible disabled people to lease a new car using part of their benefit payments.

Critics say the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)-wide change will affect disabled people's freedom and ability to work, but Motability says it is about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe". It says it has removed 300 drivers since a pilot scheme began in Northern Ireland in September.

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During last year's Budget, the government removed its tax break on insurance and it must now cover 12% on each insurance premium. It must also now pay VAT^▸ (Value Added Tax) on some vehicles meaning the scheme will need to pay out an additional £300m from 1 July.

Nigel Fletcher, chief executive of the Motability Foundation, said that would be the equivalent of a price rise of £1,100 for every driver on the scheme. "A lot of disabled people won't be able to afford that, so we're now having to try and work out how can we make changes to the scheme that protects pricing as much as we possibly can," said Fletcher.

He added that black box was about "keeping prices down and keeping people safe" and its data had also found younger drivers to be the highest risk.

He said, of the 300 drivers removed from the scheme, one had driven 117mph in a 30mph zone.

"This a serious safety issue, not just for that individual, but everyone else in that community. They will get lots of warnings before they get taken off the scheme. And then if they are taken off the scheme, we will need to start looking at what our policies are around allowing them back onto the scheme in the future."

(BBC article continues)

with MOT exemption for years four and five.

That's one thing on which I would disagree with you, Jaymac. A neglected car can become dangerous (tyres and brakes in particular) long before it's five years old. Cars now seem to last longer than they used to, so I think I'd rather see even longer leases (6 or 7 years) to save a triennial renewal payment. But keep the annual test after three years, possibly with a reduced fee for Motability vehicles.

Changes to mobility scheme will 'cost lives'

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Kay Millar said she will be forced to stay at home if she can't afford her car any more (image © Kay Millar)

A wheelchair user has said changes to a driving scheme for disabled people will "cost lives".

Kay Millar, 29, from Frome, has limb paralysis and arm weakness and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. She is a user of the Motability scheme, for recipients of disability benefits, who can use payments to lease cars.

From July, VAT^▸ (Value Added Tax) and a premium tax will apply to most new leases, along with higher mileage charges, although the company running the scheme has said it is looking at bringing in exceptions.

"We worked for years to make sure disabled people can access the world, this will force them into their homes," added Millar, who is a teacher by profession.

The rules to access the Motability scheme are about to become more strict, including a new 10,000-mile-per-year restriction on 1 July. Drivers who go over 30,000 miles in three years will have to pay 25p per extra mile.

Millar says in the two years she's been part of the scheme, she has covered 42,000 miles and doesn't "overuse" her car. "I live an active life, I became disabled when I was younger and have made the best of it," Millar said. "I play basketball, I surf, I support vulnerable people that I have to drive to see."

However, she said she is "most concerned" about going to hospital appointments. "My specialists are based in Surrey and London, I drive about two to three times a week for treatment or therapy," Millar added. "It's not possible for me to get a different car with my specifications. I'm a low-income person. I'm in a pickle."

She added that she is worried about more vulnerable people than her. "It's not safe for every disabled person to access public transport, especially if you're vulnerable."

A spokesperson for Motability Operations said the government announced new taxes for the scheme, which means prices will increase from July. "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," the spokesperson said. "We understand that, in some circumstances, people may need to drive more than the mileage allowance. We will be introducing an exceptions process for very limited situations."