Cutting Benefits....

[ToraToraTora]

https://news.sky.com/story/minister-denies-misleading-voters-over-benefits-cuts-as-hes-shown-awkward-old-tweet-13331726

As much as I agree with cutting the benefits bill I do love the hypocrisy of Labour....When Osborne was doing it it was to "fund tax cuts for the rich" - Now Labour are doing it it's ok!

Petard hoisted own By! PMSL!

[barry1010]

I said that, DDIL, but thanks for reinforcing it.

"...it were scrapped tomorrow then the users would just have more cash in hand."

[DDIL]

apologies your response wasn't there when I started typing.

[Togo]

Motability is a "charity" that was set up to provide cars for those who get a mobility allowance.  Note "Those who get mobility allowance."  Mobility allowance is a benefit funded by the State. The State has no money! It is however given the doubtful privelege of being allowed to take ours and re distribute it as it thinks fit. The "charity" funds in the main come from the mobility allowance monies, which the claimant signs over to the charity, provided by the State   ...   i.e. Us. 

 

[barry1010]

The mobility allowance can be spent on anything.

Scrapping Motability won't reduce the amount of the benefit 

[DDIL]

If you have walking difficulties

You might get the mobility component of DLA if, when using your normal aid, you:

cannot walk

can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort

could become very ill if you try to walk

You might also get it if you:

have no feet or legs

are assessed as 100% blind and at least 80% deaf and you need someone with you when outdoors

are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and get the highest rate of care for DLA

need supervision most of the time when walking outdoors

are certified as severely sight impaired and you were aged between 3 and 64 on 11 April 2011

Mobility componentWeekly rateLevel of help you need

Lower£28.70Guidance or supervision outdoors

Higher£75.75You have any other, more severe, walking difficulty

 

[barry1010]

I know one woman got caught abusing her Motability car because they knew she wasn't working but somehow they knew the car was parked on the same car park on an industrial estate between 7.30am and 5pm five days a week.

She told me that the car computer or tracking alerted them. I don't know if that is correct, it could have been reported by somebody. 

Her son was using the car solely for his own use, taking her shopping now and again. She can't have a Motability car again but is using the money for a powered wheelchair and a mobility scooter.

[New Judge]

"It doesn't cost the government anything;"

Motability enjoys exemption from VAT and Insurance Premium Tax. That relief is estimated to cost the government around £1bn a year. Probably more now since, in the last 12 months, users of the scheme have risen from around 650,000 to 815,000.

"Many people who have Motability cars work full time and would be housebound without the car."

Many people without Motability cars work full time and need a car to get to work. They don't get their car, its tax, insurance, breakdown cover and servicing paid for. Why the difference between them?

If people in receipt of PIP need a car they can buy or lease one in the same way as a person not in receipt of that benefit can. Or perhaps they couldn't. This is because they could not source the same vehicle for anything like the amount of their mobility allowance they have to sacrifice. 

It is a good scheme. But the criteria for qualification are far too broad. If somebody is classed as diabled but can work full time, they don't need the facilities that Motabiliy provides any more than somebody who is not disabled.

"...it were scrapped tomorrow then the users would just have more cash in hand."

Indeed. But they wouldn't have a car. If they wanted one they would have to use that money to buy or lease one and that transaction would be subject to the usual taxes and excise duties. And they would not get a fifty grand Beemer or Merc, replaced every three years and including tax, insurance, breakdown cover and servicing for seventy five quid a week.