Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish an Equality Impact Assessment for changes to the Motability scheme.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance.
The government announced a package of reforms to the Motability Scheme at Autumn Budget 2025, which will ensure the scheme delivers value for money for the taxpayer, while continuing to support disabled people.
An Equality Impact Assessment was undertaken and published by HMT as part of the Autumn Budget and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a) changes to Vehicle Exercise Duty and b) introduction of a Electric Vehicle Excise Duty on users of the Motability scheme leasing an electric vehicle.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.
eVED is designed to replace fuel duty for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. This means it will apply to cars driven by those who are wholly or partially exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but where their petrol or diesel equivalents would be subject to fuel duty. This includes those who receive the mobility component of certain disability-related benefits (principally Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment). These groups will continue to receive the same VED exemptions as they do now but will not be exempt from eVED, as they are not exempt from fuel duty.
As with petrol/diesel vehicles where fuel duty applies, eVED will also apply to cars that are leased. The leasing company will typically be responsible for paying eVED and can choose how to pass on to their customers.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of discrimination affecting religious-minority women in the garment sector in South Asia; and how this is being addressed through UK development and human-rights programmes.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We remain concerned by the discrimination that affects religious minority women in South Asia's garment sector, and we continue to advocate for their fair treatment, equal opportunities and safe working conditions. UK-funded programmes across South Asia also support women's entrepreneurship, and inclusive trade benefitting vulnerable groups.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she taking to assess the digital inclusivity of services offered through (a) Gov.uk and (b) the wider public sector.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Central Government assesses digital inclusivity of GOV.UK and wider public sector services through service assessment teams within GDS and Departments. These teams review services against the Government Service Standard, requiring user research with diverse groups, ongoing evaluation, and data on uptake and satisfaction. The Government Digital Service also monitors compliance of public sector websites and apps with accessibility regulations.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she had with (a) the Financial Conduct Authority, (b) Ofwat, (c) Ofgem and (d) Ofcom on ensuring (i) services are accessible to residents who are not online and (ii) issues around digital exclusion are consistently embedded in regulator guidance on dealing with vulnerable customers.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Digital inclusion can transform people’s lives for the better. Families can save money on their groceries and energy bills when they shop online; those looking for work can find better job opportunities and earn more; and people can more easily access the services they need – including the NHS and welfare.
That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which sets out our immediate actions to deliver digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, regardless of their circumstances.
We encourage providers of key services important to people’s daily lives – like banking and utilities – to prioritise inclusive and accessible services for everyone. We are working with industry, the Regulators and the voluntary sector to champion access for digitally excluded customers, including vulnerable people. That is why, for example, the government’s recent Financial Inclusion Strategy highlighted the commitment we have agreed with the financial services industry to rollout 350 banking hubs by the end of this parliament.
We also want to make government digital services easier to access. Legal requirements should ensure public sector websites and apps meet accessibility requirements, and there is published best practice to provide alternative routes such as phone lines, in-person support and paper forms.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he intends to meet representatives of the Motability Collective Campaign Group.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Ministers regularly meet representative groups of a range of types and every request to meet a Minister is given consideration.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Motability scheme on the lived experience of users.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The package of reforms to the Motability Scheme announced as part of the Budget will ensure the Scheme delivers fairness for the taxpayer, while continuing to support disabled people. The Scheme will continue to offer a choice of affordable vehicles to meet a range of accessibility needs 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. Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will apply to leases at the standard rate, bringing tax treatment in line with commercial leasing firms.
Existing leases and vehicles substantially designed for, or adapted for, wheelchair or stretcher users will continue to benefit from VAT reliefs on advance payments and the IPT exemption, in recognition of the additional costs associated with these vehicles.
Motability Foundation, the independent charity with responsibility for overseeing the Scheme, will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with the Chancellor the Exchequer on funding to support delivery of the long-term objectives in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
DSIT ministers and officials have worked closely with His Majesty’s Treasury to secure funding for digital inclusion that demonstrates the government’s commitment to delivering digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, regardless of their circumstances.
On 10 December, DSIT confirmed total funding of £11.7mn has been allocated across 80 projects through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, to ensure everyone has access to the skills, support and confidence they need to take part in a modern digital society. This builds on the previously announced £9.5mn.
This is a first step, alongside a series of others, set out in the Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan published in February. While we are currently focused on helping people by delivering these commitments, the ambition is for everyone to benefit from the digital world—whether that’s saving money on bills, finding a better job, or accessing vital services like the NHS more easily.