Motability
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the removal of the Mercedes Vito as a vehicle available through Motability on the availability of vehicles with a) dropped floors b) hand controls.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Motability’s decision to remove luxury vehicles from the Scheme will help ensure that tax reliefs are not subsidising luxury vehicle leases and services that non-scheme users could not afford, so that the Scheme focuses on its core aim and is more in line with the retail leasing offer. Motability Operations will continue to prioritise customer needs, ensuring vehicles remain affordable, meet a range of accessibility needs - including dropped floors and hand controls - and offer vehicles which require no advance payment, meaning that people will be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.
Support for specialist adaptations will remain at the heart of the Scheme and the Scheme will continue to cover the cost of standard adaptations.
Motability Foundation will continue to offer means-tested grants to those most in need of financial help. These grants support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle, or a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) through the Motability Scheme.
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