Benefits reform blamed for fall in disabled motorists

The number of disabled motorists has fallen by nearly 80,000 in just two years, prompting fresh criticism of Government reforms to disability benefits.

Figures show a 6% fall in disabled people receiving an exemption from vehicle tax since 2015, with 1.267 million people now registered.

While there is no evidence any one cause is behind the drop, the figures support other statistics showing a fall in people being assessed as eligible to claim personal independence payments (PIP).

The latest figures from the Motability charity show 59,000 people have lost their eligibility for a specially adapted vehicle since 2013, as people have switched over to PIP from disability living allowance (DLA).

In total, 230,700 people have been awarded less on PIP than they were on DLA, including 149,200 people between January and October 2016.

The Government said more people receive the highest rate of support under PIP compared to DLA.

Debbie Abrahams, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: “The Government’s flawed PIP assessment process is not fit for purpose.

“It has resulted in thousands of people losing their social security support, with many having their Motability cars removed before their appeals.

“This has forced many disabled drivers off the road and unable to work, or live full and independent lives.

“The anxiety and fear people feel going through these flawed assessments is reprehensible. The whole process is not just counterproductive, it is wrong.”

Figures released after a written parliamentary question from Labour MP Peter Dowd show 1,345,446 disabled people received an exemption from vehicle tax as of February 2015, compared to 1,266,523 in February this year.

People can claim the exemption if they receive the higher rate of the mobility component of either PIP or DLA, or specific benefits for injured armed forces veterans.

The DVLA, Department for Transport and the Treasury all said there was no policy they had introduced that would explain the drop off.