Stop making excuses, MPS tell disabled car supplier

A Taxpayer-supported business that supplies cars to people with disabilities has been told to “stop making excuses” and reform its financial management.

The Treasury and work and pensions select committees have told Motability to provide full evidence to the ongoing investigations into the charity.

Last year, an inquiry by the National Audit Office (NAO) found Mike Betts, the chief executive of Motability Operations, which runs the Motability scheme, was in line for a bonus of £1.86million in September, which was likely to reach about £2.2 million by 2022. The NAO also accused the Motability scheme of having charged customers £390 million “more than was required” since 2008.

Mr Betts has since announced he will stand down next year.

But the committees said the latest evidence suggested Motability was still not taking the NAO seriously. The governors did not provide full details of their internal review, blaming commercial sensitivity, but they have now been instructed to provide those details.

Frank Field, chairman of the work and pensions committee, said: “We are clear, the NAO is clear, the Government is clear. Motability must step up, now, and demonstrate the transparency and accountability befitting an organisation that enjoys taxpayer support. Stop making excuses.”

Nicky Morgan, chairman of the Treasury committee, added: “It’s extremely disappointing that Motability is refusing to provide evidence. We will continue to push for full disclosure to ensure that disabled people are provided with the best possible support.”