The Motability Foundation has submitted evidence to the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
We wanted to ensure that the experiences of disabled people, and the role that mobility support plays in their lives, are fully understood as the Review considers the future of PIP.
What is the Timms Review?
The Timms Review is a review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), being conducted through a co-production approach involving disabled people, representative organisations, carers, clinicians, experts and government. Through its Call for Evidence, the Review is seeking views on how PIP can remain fair, fit for the future and effective in supporting disabled people.
The Government has launched the Review to consider how PIP can continue to meet its objectives at a time when the number of people receiving support has increased and the profile of recipients has evolved. It is also the first opportunity since PIP was introduced for a comprehensive review of how the system operates as a whole.
Why did we submit evidence?
A central theme of our submission is the persistent transport accessibility gap faced by disabled people.
Disabled people continue to make significantly fewer journeys than non-disabled people. Many face barriers accessing suitable, reliable and affordable transport, whether because public transport is inaccessible, transport options are limited where they live, or the costs of travelling are too high.
These barriers have real consequences. They can affect a person's ability to access work, education, healthcare and essential services, as well as their ability to participate in community life and maintain social connections.
As long as this gap exists, support that helps disabled people access transport will continue to play an important role in enabling independence and participation.
What did we tell the Review?
Our submission focuses on three key messages.
There remains a significant transport accessibility gap
Disabled people continue to face substantial barriers to accessing transport. This affects their ability to travel, participate in society and access opportunities that many non-disabled people take for granted.
Mobility support helps disabled people overcome transport barriers
The enhanced mobility component of PIP plays an important role in helping disabled people access transport that meets their needs.
For some people, this may be through the Motability Scheme. For others, it may be through different transport arrangements. What matters is that disabled people are able to translate mobility support into practical transport access.
Our submission highlights the social and economic value that this creates, including improved access to employment, education, healthcare and independent living. It also explains the role the Motability Scheme plays in helping many disabled people overcome barriers to accessing vehicles, adaptations, insurance and maintenance through the wider market.
Any reforms should consider their wider impact
Our submission does not argue for any particular changes to PIP. Decisions about eligibility are matters for Government and Parliament.
However, we believe it is important that any reforms are developed with a clear understanding of their wider implications. Changes to the enhanced mobility component of PIP could affect disabled people's mobility outcomes, participation in society, access to employment and services, and the wider ecosystem of support that has developed around PIP.
Working with the Review
One of the key recommendations in our submission is that the Review should continue to engage closely with Motability Foundation as it develops its proposals.
We believe our research, analysis, operational insight and understanding of disabled people's transport needs can help ensure that any future reforms are informed by a clear understanding of their impact on mobility and participation.