AIBU to feel horrified at the number of Motability vehicles being provided?

[DawnRaiderNight]

Just read this in the Telegraph about what the Americans think of our welfare spending:

“It also shocks Americans to learn that almost one in every five new cars sold in Britain is provided through Motability, the taxpayer-backed car scheme. The equivalent in the United States would be every Chevy, GMC, Buick and Cadillac sold through welfare. Or every Ford”

One of my friend’s daughters, aged 27, who has never worked, has several children with various diagnoses and is a single parent recently received a top of the range car, got to choose the colour and was given a ‘big reveal’ at the garage when she collected it. She has now been given a new four bedroomed detached house, something my own hardworking children could never manage.

Something is very, very wrong in this country.

A free bus pass is a definite no for my son since he could not go on public transport. He lives in supported living so needs insurance where he can be driven by multiple different unnamed often young drivers. The motability scheme is the only way to get this insurance. I don't see how the motability scheme would work with second hand vehicles since the ex motability vehicles are sold on to the general public.

Same as any second hand vehicle. What about a taxi?

A 4 bedroom house you say? How disgusting. That could have been turned into an HMO to house asylum seekers.
(Or is it that the HMOs could be turned into houses for British families in need...?
I've lost track.)
But yes. Disgusting all right.

Yep. Been on a bus where the driver refused to ask people to make the wheelchair space available and drove off

I don't think anyone 'leaps' up the housing lists. In the London borough here I work, the average wait for a 4 bed house is 10 years from having been deemed eligible.

I have children on my caseload who are profoundly disabled - wheelchair bound, blind deaf, tube fed, seizures, dislocated hips, twisted spines. And they can't get rehoused to a suitable property to enable them to have surgery to correct their hips and spines. Some die whilst waiting, from the pressure on their heart and lungs. And you think people are being given out houses like sweeties!

A taxi wouldn't work for my son.

Taxis are not suitable for all disabled people either.

In some areas of the country they can also be difficult to get, especially at certain times of the day.

What car is it?

Have you ever tried to order a wheelchair accessible taxi?

If someone has to forego their benefits or be sterilised, it's not really free, is it?

It might be "free" in monetary terms, but only because they would be penalised financially if they didn't consent, so that consent isn't freely given.

I used to fall for these headlines, chat shit about the disabled. But unlike some people I fully changed my mind after listening to the stories on MN. And why they need PIP. How motability helps them. I actually listened and changed my mind.

A lot of taxies aren't accessible for wheelchair users.

Thought that might be coming. 🙄

This 😂
Who gives a shit what some Americans may or may not think?! 😁
I honestly cannot get worked up about people getting help if they need it. I'd rather live in that kind of society. Nobody gets "given" a house, either.

i came in here to also say this. I’m absolutely astounded that’half of the votes disagree with you!
While I think these benefits are a lifeline to people genuinely in need , tthere are many many people out there ripping the hole and claiming for , and receiving benefits because they they won’t work. This is fact, before any of you jump on me!
no wonder this country is in such a bloody mess.

Some people do. I can think of 2 off the top
of of my head who drive mobility cars and who really really don’t need them.

Oh FFS. Yes it might be possible for that freedom to be provided by a second hand car, or a bus pass. In which case the person concerned can spend their PIP on a second hand car, or a bus pass. It's up to them. However given there's this organisation that been set up called Motability that is able to secure massive volume discounts on bulk-buys of new cars, and which uses its commercial clout to allow disabled people to lease new cars at attractive rates, it may very well make more sense for them to get a new car instead. And that's brilliant because it means a steady supply of second-hand cars for those that want them. The notion that - instead of negotiating big discounts with a relatively small number of manufacturers on new cars - Motability should instead fuck about trying to source hundreds of thousands of second-hand cars per year (and hugely skewing that market in the process), is utterly mad.

Yes I’m aware of that, the majority of new cars are leased.

Says who? And how do you know the exact details of somebody’s 14 page PIP application alongside their needs x2.

No it isn’t a fact, you don’t have data or facts just nasty misplaced jealousy.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are an incredibly expensive way to travel. Where I live, a trip of less than two miles is £20 in a wheelchair-accessible taxi. An ordinary taxi is £6.50-£7. Getting a wheelchair-accessible taxi to the hospital and back home is easily £60 altogether An ordinary taxi would be £15 for a five mile trip.

It's not unusual for people with that level of disability to have multiple hospital appointments a week, and it adds up fast. Meanwhile, high rate mobility on PIP (the component you need to be awarded to lease a mobility car) is only £80 a week. It's literally not enough to cover transport costs if you're having to get multiple taxis a week.

This is why the mobility scheme exists, to offer people the option to use that £80 a week to lease a car instead! I just don't get why people have an issue with it.

No you can't. Not for being on "any kind of benefit".

Who are these spoilt people stamping their feet over discounts on tickets. I’ve never been to Hampton Court and have no wish to. Outlets make their own decisions re admission process, you’re not on their discounted list, tough luck. Your life doesn’t end if you don’t go to Hampton Court. 🙄

In your opinion....

Indeed
My son does meet the criteria under SMI rules
But i had to go to tribunal for this
Currently hes 16 and transitioning to PIP
But under DLA i had to prove he has severe mental impairment hes at a school for children with severe and profound learning disabillities hes totally non verbal and can only communicate on a very basic level hes working at pre school levels ,he has extremely challenging behaviour
Severe mental impairment cant be faked
And its obvious in every setting
Its laughable that posters think they are just handing out free cars to all and sundry.