Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the context of rising fuel and electricity prices, if she will make further targeted financial support available for people with physical disabilities who are reliant on adapted mobility support including (a) adapted cars and (b) electric wheelchairs.

The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, that is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. This includes the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households on means-tested benefits. In addition, 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off, disability Cost of Living Payment of £150. And pensioner households will receive a separate one-off payment of £300 (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment).

People who receive the higher rate mobility component for Disability Living Allowance, the enhanced rate of the mobility component for Personal Independence Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement can exchange part or all of their mobility component for a leased car, wheelchair or powered chair/scooter through the Motability scheme regardless of their income.

A Motability lease provides a ‘worry-free package’ including servicing, repairs, breakdown assistance and comprehensive insurance. A National Audit Report on Motability in 2018 also found that leasing a car through Motability was on average 44% cheaper than comparable leasing products in the wider market”

We keep all our policies under continuous review as we have shown throughout the pandemic and in response to the current cost of living pressures.