Consultation outcome

Scope response

Updated 22 February 2021

Recommendations

1. Government should consider alternative ways of offering financial support to those who cannot afford the upfront costs of adapting their Motability vehicle.

2. Government should reform the PIP assessment to accurately capture extra costs faced by disabled people.

3. DWP to review the length of time a claimant can receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP.

4. SSAC to review the support provided by Motability to any user who loses their enhanced mobility PIP award and becomes ineligible to lease a vehicle through Motability.

5. Government should review the eligibility criteria for the Motability scheme, so disabled people with less visible conditions can access it.

6. Government should work to ensure that all necessary information on the Motability scheme is compiled in one streamlined, readable source which is available both online and in print format. This information should also be replicated into various accessible formats such as easy-read and braille so that all disabled people may access the information they require on Motability.

Background

1. Disabled people’s financial resilience

1.1. Many disabled people face additional costs related to their impairment or condition across many areas of their lives. On average, these costs amount to £583 a month^{[footnote 1]}.

1.2. This is on top of welfare payments designed to help meet these costs. One in five disabled people face extra costs of over £1,000 each month^{[footnote 2]}.

1.3. Disabled people have a lower level of financial resilience than non-disabled people. Disabled people have an average of £108,000 less in savings and assets than non-disabled people^{[footnote 3]}.

1.4. Disabled people are also more likely to be trapped in debt. Sixteen per cent of households with a disabled person have unsecured debt totalling more than half their household income, compared to 8 per cent of households overall^{[footnote 4]}.

1.5. The extra costs facing disabled people fall broadly into three main categories:

• Paying for specialised goods and services, such as assistive technology, wheelchairs or adapted vehicles.

• Greater use of non-specialised goods and services, such as energy and taxis or private hire vehicles.

• Paying more for non-specialised goods and services, including financial products such as insurance.

2. Transport

2.1. Access to transport is a key enabler for disabled people to connect with family and friends, engage with communities and contribute to the economy through employment and volunteering. These activities are critical in building a sense of self-worth, independence and social value^{[footnote 5]}.

2.2. Car travel is, by far, the most frequently used mode of transport for disabled people. Over half of disabled people polled told us that they drive once a week or more, and two thirds said that they are driven by someone else at least once a month^{[footnote 6]}.

2.3. We were told that access to a car offers freedom as well as helping to remove a degree of uncertainty and stress from daily life^{[footnote 7]}.

2.4. However, car ownership can also be expensive. This can be problematic, given the additional costs that disabled people have to deal with.

3. Motability and the PIP/DLA mobility component

3.1. For many disabled people, their personal independence payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) award is vital to helping them live the life they choose.

3.2. In particular, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and the higher rate mobility component of DLA are seen as critical for many disabled people in helping to cover the extra costs of running an accessible vehicle.

3.3. According to Government statistics, in July 2019 over 2 million disabled people were recorded as being in receipt of PIP^{[footnote 8]}. Of those, 990,319 receive the enhanced mobility PIP award^{[footnote 9]}.

3.4. In May 2019, 1,635,441 disabled people were in receipt of DLA. Of those,

444,186 received the higher rate mobility component^{[footnote 10]}.

3.5. For those receiving the mobility or higher rate component, the Motability scheme can provide the opportunity to benefit from the use of a private vehicle.

3.6. This can be a real lifeline, opening up the possibility of spontaneous travel for those who could not otherwise own a private vehicle, and for whom public transport is not an option.

3.7. When asked about the scheme, disabled people told us that Motability can be vital to independence. One disabled person said that they “would be totally housebound without the scheme”.

3.8. However, feedback suggests that there is a feeling of insecurity around whether the DLA or PIP award could be removed, resulting in a Motability vehicle being removed.

3.9. Additionally, disabled people raised the fact that the scheme is not always cost-effective or affordable, despite higher rates of mobility payments.

3.10. It also seemed that information around the scheme can be confusing and sometimes people who would be eligible for the scheme do not know about it or are unclear on the rules around how a Motability vehicle can be used.

3.11. Our response to the Social Security Advisory Committee’s (SSAC) consultation on Motability and the DLA/PIP mobility component sets out the feedback we have received from disabled people, specifically on the themes of affordability, eligibility and information access and makes a number of recommendations on how Scope believes that the Motability scheme could be amended to better serve the requirements of disabled people.

Findings

4. Affordability

4.1. Despite the value of the Motability scheme in allowing disabled people to live more independent lives, we have found that the high cost of adapting a vehicle through the scheme is putting many disabled people off from applying.

4.2. One disabled person told us of her surprise when she found out how much money it would cost her to have an adaption included in her Motability vehicle. “My word! The price of the adaptation is horrendous…about 15k I think.”

4.3. While another revealed that, despite being eligible for the scheme, one of the reasons she does not use it is because “the deposit cost…would cripple me financially”.

The Motability car is wonderful, but in order to get the adaptation done you have to pay a chunk upfront. So, when you see the signs for ‘no upfront payment’, that’s only for a small car that you can’t a wheelchair into. The car that you need to fit what you need is going to cost you. I think that came to about £1,800, which, thankfully, I could afford because of a lump sum I received after leaving school. But without that lump sum, we’d have to find that money on top of everything else. And you have to pay that every three years when you redo the car.

4.4. For those disabled people who do use the scheme, they can still find that their enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP or higher rate of DLA award still does not cover the cost of running a car.

4.5. Scope’s helpline recently received a call from someone who told us that, because her mobility element does not fully cover the cost of running her car, she has to “cut costs in other areas” to make sure she can afford to use it.

4.6. It is unfair that the funding provided to disabled people to cover the costs of purchasing, adapting and running a vehicle is often not enough.

4.7. Disabled people should not be prevented from applying for the Motability scheme if their PIP or DLA award does not adequately cover the costs incurred from using the scheme.

4.8. Disabled people have every right to fair and affordable access to a vehicle, just like everybody else.

4.9. Government needs to consider alternative ways of offering financial support to those who cannot afford the upfront costs of adapting their Motability vehicle.

4.10. Government should look again at the PIP assessment process to ensure that it accurately captures the amount of money needed to adapt and run a Motability vehicle.

Recommendations 1 and 2

Government should consider alternative ways of offering financial support to those who cannot afford the upfront costs of adapting their Motability vehicle.

Government should reform the PIP assessment to accurately capture extra costs faced by disabled people.

5. Eligibility and risk of disabled people losing their Motability vehicle

5.1. While many disabled people have told us that they have benefitted from the Motability scheme, a significant proportion have also told us that they are concerned about the prospect of losing access to the scheme.

5.2. One person told us “the worry-free motoring (that the scheme brings) for me is brilliant …although I do worry about losing my mobility award in the future”.

5.3. For users of the Motability scheme, such worries are justified because they know, or have heard of, other disabled people who have unexpectedly lost access to their vehicle following a reassessment deciding they were no longer eligible to receive the enhanced mobility rate of PIP or the higher mobility rate of DLA.

5.4. Scope’s Helpline has also heard from a number of disabled people who lost access to the high rate mobility award when they were moved over from DLA to PIP.

5.5. Motability’s most recent annual report also reveals that 25,000 disabled people have lost eligibility to the scheme due to the transition from DLA to PIP^{[footnote 11]}.

5.6. Many of these had the decision overturned, but others weren’t successful, meaning they lost access to the scheme even though it would still help facilitate a more independent lifestyle.

5.7. One person told us how the loss of his award two years ago has had a “detrimental effect” on his life and has resulted in him being “in debt up to my eyeballs and struggling to cope”.

5.8. For other people, they have described how losing their award has led to a total loss of freedom. One person told us they have not “been the same person since”.

We considered using the scheme (but) decided not to as I was worried about having the car taken off us further down the line so that put us off.

5.9. For other disabled people, their concerns about losing their mobility vehicle and the impact this could have on their life has meant that they choose to not take part in the scheme.

5.10. It is clear that, for many users of the Motability scheme, being able to access the mobility component of PIP or the higher mobility rate of DLA is crucial to their ability to lead an independent lifestyle.

5.11. Motability users should not have to constantly live in fear of losing such a crucial lifeline that helps them get out the house and live the life they choose.

5.12. One of the main reasons behind disabled people’s fear of losing their PIP/DLA award is the short length of awards.

5.13. One disabled person who contacted us told us that a ten-year PIP award generally provides disabled claimants with some security, but a shorter award (e.g. three years) leads to “constant worry” they will lose it at their next reassessment.

5.14. Disabled users of the scheme shouldn’t have to live in fear of losing their award so soon after receiving it.

5.15. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should review the length of time of PIP awards to ensure disabled claimants have the security of a longer award without living in fear of losing such an important benefit.

Recommendation 3

DWP to review the length of time a claimant can receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP.

5.16. Given the importance many disabled people place on their Motability vehicle in ensuring they can live an independent life, it seems unfair that users of the Motability scheme lose their vehicle so suddenly as a result of a reassessment of their PIP/DLA mobility award.

5.17. The Motability website states that anyone who is no longer eligible to lease a vehicle under the scheme will receive support through this transition^{[footnote 12]}.

5.18. But it is clear from our evidence that users of the scheme are not receiving adequate support.

5.19. The SSAC should conduct a review into the support provided by Motability to users who become ineligible to lease a vehicle through the scheme.

Recommendation 4

SSAC to review the support provided by Motability to any user who loses their enhanced mobility PIP award and becomes ineligible to lease a vehicle through Motability.

5.20. We have also heard from disabled people that the eligibility criteria of the enhanced mobility rate of PIP unfairly prohibits them from accessing the scheme.

5.21. One of these groups is people with less visible impairments or conditions. Scope’s helpline has received lots of calls from people with hidden impairments such as autism or agoraphobia who tell us they would like to access the Motability scheme as they struggle to use public transport but cannot as they do not qualify for the mobility component of PIP.

5.22. As a consequence, they have to spend large sums of money on taxis. For this group of disabled people, having access to the Motability scheme would make it easier to live the life they choose and live more independent lives.

5.23. Steps are being taken to acknowledge the difficulties of travelling with a less visible impairment. The Government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy places an important emphasis on the requirements of travellers with less visible conditions.

5.24. In August of this year Government opened up the eligibility criteria for Blue Badges so that people with less visible impairments and conditions, such as anxiety and autism, are able to use disabled parking spaces^{[footnote 13]}. This change was a significant step-forward in recognising that travelling can be just as difficult for people whose impairments may not be visible.

5.25. Similarly, disabled people with less visible impairments deserve the chance to benefit from the Motability scheme just as much as any disabled person whose physical impairment currently makes them eligible for the scheme.

5.26. Other disabled people who have applied for the Motability scheme have told us how they have felt there is “a very fine line between yes and no” when they go through the application process.

5.27. It is widely acknowledged that the Motability scheme is beneficial for disabled people. But not every disabled person who could benefit from it is eligible to do so.

5.28. Currently, limiting eligibility to the scheme to receipt of the enhanced mobility element of PIP/higher rate of DLA prevents disabled people with just a non-visible impairment from accessing and benefiting from it.

5.29. Government should review the eligibility criteria for the Motability scheme, and consider how to open it out so disabled people with both physical and mental impairments can benefit from the chance to live more independent lives.

Recommendation 5

Government should review the eligibility criteria for the motability scheme, so disabled people with less visible conditions can access it.

6. Information access

6.1. Having access to reliable, up-to-date and clear information is critical for disabled people in all aspects of daily life.

6.2. Particularly in the context of transport, good information provision can enable disabled people to plan ahead more easily, travel independently with more confidence and it can reduce anxiety as it provides greater certainty and clarity to consumers.

6.3. In the context of public transport, over half of disabled people polled said that

better information provision would improve their experience of travelling^{[footnote 14]}.

6.4. This principle applies equally to the process of leasing a Motability vehicle.

While the scheme can be a ‘lifeline’ for some disabled people, the process can also be complex and costly. For this reason, clear and concise information regarding how things work is critically important.

6.5. When asked about their experiences of Motability, disabled people told us that information around the scheme can be confusing.

6.6. In particular, it seemed that there was misinformation surrounding critical issues such as who qualifies for the Motability scheme and how Motability vehicles can be used.

6.7. For example, in online discussions regarding Motability and the DLA/PIP mobility component, participants had varying information on key issues such as at what age children qualified for the scheme, and whether nominated drivers can use Motability cars for journeys without the claimant present.

6.8. One disabled person told us that “there is a lot of ignorance about the scheme rules.”

6.9. It seemed that information provided to customers at various stages of the lease process - from the Motability website through to showroom staff – differed and there was some uncertainty as to how the scheme’s rules applied in real-life.

6.10. This suggests that information currently available is not clear enough.

6.11. We need to see a more streamlined, readable approach which would support disabled people to better understand the complexities of the scheme.

6.12. There was consistent positive feedback on the Motability helpline, with disabled people telling us that helpline staff were “very helpful and extremely thorough” and “go out of their way to assist you”.

6.13. While the helpline is clearly a very useful resource, access to digital technology is a vital factor for many disabled people to live independently.

6.14. The importance of digital in the context of transport came through strongly from participants in our research on public transport. We found that digital resources are crucial tools for disabled people with 65 per cent polled using either apps or websites to find out travel-related information^{[footnote 15]}.

6.15. A comprehensive, clear digital resource could reduce much of the confusion around Motability rules, providing disabled people with all the information they need when deciding whether to commit to a Motability vehicle or clarifying the terms of their lease.

6.16. Technology can be transformative, however it must be remembered that there remains a significant digital divide between disabled and non-disabled people, with disabled people regularly accessing the internet half as much as non-disabled people^{[footnote 16]}.

6.17. Alongside the continued development of effective digital solutions, there is a need to ensure multiple formats for information so that those without regular internet access or smart phones are still able to access essential information about Motability.

6.18. This includes providing all information is multiple, various formats, such as easy-read, screen-reader compatible and large-print, to ensure that all disabled people have access to the resources they need.

Recommendation 6

Work to ensure that all necessary information on the Motability scheme is compiled in one streamlined, readable source which is available both online and in print format. This information should also be replicated into various accessible formats such as easy-read and braille so that all disabled people may access the information they require on Motability.

About Scope

We’re Scope, the disability equality charity. We won’t stop until we achieve a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness. At home. At school. At work. In our communities.

We’re a strong community of disabled and non-disabled people. We provide practical and emotional information and support when it’s needed most. We use our collective power to change attitudes and end injustice.

We campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society. And we won’t stop until we achieve a society where all disabled people enjoy equality and fairness.

1. Scope (2019) Disability Price Tag 2019↩

2. Ibid↩

3. McKnight, A. (2014). Disabled people’s financial histories: uncovering the disability wealth penalty, CASE paper 181↩

4. Scope (2013), Disabled people and financial well-being: Credit and debt↩

5. Scope (2018) Independent. Confident. Connected.↩

6. Polling was conducted by Opinium in September 2018 on behalf of Scope. 1,002 adults in the UK with long term impairments or conditions took part. The survey was conducted online and the sampling was non-probability based.↩

7. In February 2018, Scope worked in partnership with Britain Thinks who delivered ethnographic research with 31 disabled people with a mixture of impairments and conditions across England and Wales. The research was conducted using a mixture of face to face interviews and mobile ethnography to capture disabled people’s experiences of everyday life.↩

8. DWP (2019), Personal Independent Payment: April 2013 to July 2019↩

9. Ibid↩

10. DWP (2019), Disability Living Allowance: Cases in Payment↩

11. Motability (2018) Motability Annual report and accounts 2017/18↩

12. https://www.motability.co.uk/about/allowances/disability-living-allowance-dla/ (last accessed 26.11.19)↩

13. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/people-with-hidden-disabilities-can-access-blue-badges-for-the-first-time-from-today↩

14. Opinium (2018) Sample size: 626↩

15. In July 2019, we again worked in partnership with Opinium to survey 2,004 disabled people about how difficulty using public transport affects their ability to lead independent, confident and connected lives.↩

16. Ofcom (2019) Access and Inclusion in 2018.↩