Autumn statement 2025: How the budget will affect disabled people
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I understand your concerns I too have seen about the duty to engage thing.
But it would need to be a law to action it and if they didn't exempt various groups the Backbenchers wouldn't let it pass same as in the summer.
They have to safeguard and be sensible.
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i am sure there will exempted groups. I think I know who they are after but this is a disability forum and it has nothing to do with disability.
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who are they after?
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Never worked and never will types i would imagine. Multiple generational worklessness does exist.
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so what about those of us who have mental health issues I.e eupd, CPTSD, anxiety and chronic depression?
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Most disabled people have been hard working tax payers , my husband was a hard working tax payer and worked 7 days a week to bring up two children , so now we have a motability car because we can afford to use the mobility side of PIP for one instead of paying for a mortgage . PIP is not an out of work benefit and so someone working hard and disabled should be able to choose the car they want if they are using their PIP to pay it , they are paying tax and working hard .
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I agree its the message its sending is that Disabled people dont deserve anything considered nice its going backwards next it will be what you can spend your money on it starts like this bit by bit
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In my opinion, luxury cars have no place on the Motability Scheme.
If some people can't live without a BMW, then i'm sure they could buy a second hand model from a local garage or private seller, just like everyone else with expensive tastes.
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Point taken, and I know you had to pay an advance payment for the up market cars, BUT you have to accept how it is perceived by working people heavily taxed and struggling themselves. Take into consideration the following when thinking about how it is perceived:-
- You can't get a better deal on leasing a car than Motability, private companies don't come close, so Motability customers get a special unmatched deal on leasing a car.... For instance, you can drive thousands of miles more for starters! Why not the same deal for non disabled?
- You have not mentioned the abuse of the Motability Scheme. Everyone I knew that had a Motability car never used it as per the Scheme rules. One guy which the car was assigned to never used the car - it was his wife's car... Another got his mother to get the Motability car with her PIP advanced payment, he pays her back and has full used of the car, like I have said, a lucrative deal is leasing a Motability car. Three people I know had their Motability cars taken off them, again abuse of the Scheme in some way.
- Some Motability Scheme users had Range Rovers at one time, which is over the top! They may have paid a hefty advance payment, but they are also using the Motability Scheme's unmatched and lucrative leasing arrangements to afford and own these cars. This could be seen as abuse of the Scheme by onlookers too!
- Some disabled that have a Motability car do not have a physical disability, not saying anything about this myself, but it is how this is perceived by the general public.
- The numbers of Motability cars have increased 200,000 in a few recent years, tying in, rightly or wrongly, with influencers on YouTube in how to get a "free car."
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If you care to look back through this thread, Trevor, as I have just done, then I'd suggest some things are not just a difference of opinion, as some of our members have kindly shared links to reputable sources.
So, sorry to say I struggle with the 'facts' you know as they're subjective (from circumstances you've seen), but are not objective, & therein lies a big difference. If you would also provide links, again from a reputable source(s), then that would better help everyone to discuss these matters better.
I don't know much about Motability, but your argument above, which if we remove the advance payments that can go towards a Motability vehicle (which may be needed due to a claimant's specific disabilities), one would almost think that you thought disabled people shouldn't have a Motability car. Possibly due to abuse, as you mention, tho it would be interesting to see any statistics relating to this.
You mention, 'Some disabled that have a Motability car do not have a physical disability, not saying anything about this myself, but it is how it is perceived.' I'd ask in what way is it perceived? Again, links about this would be appreciated.
Consider too that all disabled people are deserving of help, & some can have both physical & mental health problems, which can often be the case.
You often seem to champion the working person, yet, as has been pointed out, many people claiming PIP also work/have worked, & a Motability car might help them get to work.
For the benefit of any doubt, I have paid 40 years National Insurance contributions having worked despite my disabilities, &, altho I can drive, I've never used the Motability scheme.
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@chiarieds please don't twist my words, I have not said or saying disabled people should not have a Motability car. You don't seem to be able to have an opinion on this forum if it goes against the thoughts of the majority of members, you are called out and incorrect assumptions are made about you.... I will report any of that to Moderators! I am replying to the member with reasons why working taxpayers are up in arms over the Motability Scheme. Nothing more! People that want to see changes to the Scheme and what political parties are saying currently this is looking to be the case.
The abuse of the Motability Scheme is known about, it is mentioned on the Motability website and that they need to do something about it. I don't know how they can tackle it though.
I know "all disabled people are deserving of help, & some can have both physical & mental health problems, which can often be the case." I am giving valid reasons for the outcry over the Motability Scheme. I have looked into this, I know people that have had Motability cars and how they used them. What I have typed is fact.
I have backed up working people because of the tax they pay and because I worked for 40 years and know how it feels and I know all their grievances. In doing this, I have never said anything that is detrimental to the genuine disabled, in fact I am on this forum the majority of time trying to help them! I know you can have working disabled on PIP, my reply is only giving reasons why there is an outcry from the general public over the Motability Scheme.
I can see myself asking moderators to remove my reply in the end!
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Motability has one of the strictest audit systems of any UK scheme, and cars are taken back when they’re misused, which shows the system works. The idea that disabled people shouldn’t have certain cars is really a perception issue, not a policy one. The scheme exists to meet mobility needs, not to satisfy public assumptions about what a disabled person “should” drive.
The government has already tightened the rules, but they’ve also been clear that some higher end models remain available only because they’re the ones that can take specialist adaptations such as hoists, swivel seats, hand controls or wheelchair access. These aren’t “status symbols”; they’re simply the vehicles that physically meet specific disability requirements.
Nobody gets a car for free. The entire lease is paid for out of the person’s own PIP mobility component. Advance payments exist precisely to prevent misuse, and if someone needs a higher spec vehicle because it’s the only one that accommodates their equipment or adaptations, they pay thousands upfront for the privilege.
And crucially, people have to meet strict criteria to receive the enhanced rate of PIP mobility, whether their condition is visible or invisible. The bar is high, the assessments are rigorous, and the award is based on functional need, not appearance.
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@MW123 If so, why does Motability actually admit on their website that the Scheme is abused and they need to do something about it? I know everything you have typed, you are not informing me of anything!!! I am not knocking any of that!!! My reply is reasoning only why there is an outcry from the general public over Motability, that is all! I am not replying again, but will get onto the moderators, if need be!
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Motability acknowledging that abuse exists doesn’t contradict anything that’s been said. Any large national scheme will have a small amount of misuse, and the fact that Motability openly addresses it shows transparency, not widespread abuse. They also publish the steps they take to prevent it, which is why the audit system is so strict and why cars are removed when rules are broken.
The public “outcry” you mention is mostly based on perception rather than how the scheme actually works. That’s why it’s important to separate individual anecdotes from the wider facts. The majority of people on the scheme meet strict eligibility criteria, pay for their lease through their own PIP mobility component, and use the vehicle exactly as intended.
I am simply clarifying the factual side of the discussion, not disputing your right to an opinion.
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For anyone concerned about someone not using the Motability Scheme as intended, it’s worth looking at Motability’s own guidance on this. They are very clear that misuse is taken seriously, investigated properly, and acted on when necessary.
If you genuinely believe a vehicle is being misused, you have a responsibility to report it so Motability can look into it and take appropriate action. This actually protects the thousands of users who comply with the rules and rely on the scheme for genuine mobility needs.
See link
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Merry Christmas MW thankyou for all the support and excellent advice you have given me over this year 😊
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So you are saying because people are disabled they do not deserve to be able to choose a nice car and it actually comes down to discrimination .
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Thank you for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you, Catherine! I hope you have a relaxing, pleasant day.
For me, it’s the one day of the year that feels so calm and a little spiritual, and I really appreciate being able to do everything in my own time. xx
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Merry Christmas Chris and Trevor!!
Have a good one ☃️
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