Nigel Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer
As I navigate the platforms of a train station, or simply try to get around London, I’m often reminded of the daily logistics with mobility.
For me, as a disabled person with a visual impairment, it’s a familiar challenge, and for the 16 million disabled people in the UK, these challenges are magnified exponentially. They are not just inconveniences; they are profound barriers to living a full life.
It is against this backdrop that I find recent commentary surrounding the Motability Scheme and the disabled people who use it profoundly disheartening. Some voices have painted a picture of excess or even abuse, suggesting the Scheme is a drain on public resources. Misinformed, misrepresented and often overtly hostile, these narratives do more than just mischaracterise a vital service, they actively stigmatise disabled individuals.
The Motability Scheme is, and always has been, a foundation of independence, not a handout. It was established almost 50 years ago to help disabled people overcome significant mobility barriers, enabling them to access employment, education and, healthcare. That market gap still exists for disabled people.
If transport is more accessible for disabled people, it creates a halo effect for so many more. While our principal objective is the benefit of disabled people, the wider societal gains are undeniable. Our own research shows that 80% of customers say the Scheme improves their access to health services, and 76% report that it means they don’t have to rely on others.
Crucially, eligibility for the Scheme is determined by independent government assessments - specifically Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - not by Motability. The criteria to receive these disability benefits that enable people to use the Motability Scheme, are based on how people are affected by their condition. Motability’s role is to provide suitable, accessible vehicles should a disabled person choose to spend their benefit in this way. The Scheme serves a wide spectrum of needs, with 12% of vehicles adapted and 20% leased by disabled people who can’t or don’t drive, including children. When someone leases a car, they do not receive a benefit and a ‘free car’ – they sacrifice the cash benefit to pay for the car.
Let's address head-on the narrative suggesting widespread abuse of the Scheme. This claim is not only inaccurate but actively harmful. No system is entirely immune to misuse; however, we know that over 99% of people use their Scheme vehicle in line with the terms and conditions of the lease and where it is proven a vehicle is misused, steps are taken to remove it. To suggest otherwise is to create fear, shame and further isolation for disabled people. Motability Operations is investing in advanced analytics to identify and address the tiny minority who might try to misuse the Scheme. We oversee this activity carefully, ensuring that genuine, honest disabled people are not impacted, but it is a necessary priority.
Equally troubling is recent press coverage around changes to the VAT exemption applied to vehicles leased through the Motability Scheme. This exemption is not a luxury or a loophole. It is a long-standing, critical policy designed to make accessible transport genuinely affordable for disabled people. The median income of someone using the Motability Scheme is £18,500 – half the UK average. Removing this vital support would result in significantly higher costs for disabled people, jeopardising their independence and access to essential services, healthcare, employment and social participation.
Similarly, some point to the fact that the Scheme accounts for around 15% of the new car market, or 1 in 7 vehicles, as a sign of market distortion or unchecked growth. What this truly reflects, however, is the significant, unmet need for accessible transport. While we acknowledge the significant changes in the wider car market, the Scheme’s growth since COVID has been in line with the increase in PIP claimants. It is the benefits system overall that is driving this growth, not an unchecked expansion of the Scheme itself.
As a society committed to equality and inclusion, the UK must continue to invest in transport equity for all. The mobility landscape is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, environmental considerations and changing user needs. To ensure disabled people are not left behind, sustained investment in accessible transport solutions and continuous innovation are paramount. This is where Motability Foundation plays a vital, yet often overlooked, role, investing in and championing research and development and providing grants to other charities and organisations.
The Motability Scheme is not a service to be debated, but a lifeline enabling independence and inclusion. The stigmatisation of disabled people must end.