Keir Starmer’s government has taken some important first steps to bring the welfare budget under control. But expenditure on disability and incapacity benefits is still set to increase to almost £100 billion by the end of the decade, so more changes are needed. Every aspect of the welfare system must be examined to see if it is actually helping those it was designed to assist. The Motability scheme should be Starmer’s next target.
Britain cannot afford a gold-plated scheme providing a subsidised car to many who simply do not need one
Introduced in 1977, Motability was set up with admirable intentions: to provide vehicles, scooters and powered wheelchairs to disabled people that would enable them to play a fuller part in society, including helping many of them to work. However, as with so many other parts of Britain’s welfare system, Motability has expanded way beyond its original purpose – and is now ripe for comprehensive reform.
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