Tories pledge to block Motability access for people with ADHD and anxiety
The Conservatives have vowed to tighten rules around a scheme designed to help disabled benefit claimants get cars through the benefits system.
Under the proposals, eligibility for the increased rate of personal independence payments (Pip) would be tightened to exclude people with mental health disorders such as ADHD, mild depression and anxiety.
To qualify for the increased benefit rate, claimants currently need extra help with transport, which can include “physically moving around”, “determining and following a route” and “leaving home”, according to government guidelines.
Claimants who receive the increased Pip rate can then also apply to join the Motability scheme, which is designed to help with the cost of leasing a new vehicle.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the proposal to tighten the rules was “fair, proportionate and reduces the burden on taxpayers”.
“Welfare doesn’t work. We’ve created a system where it’s very easy to abuse the generosity of hard-working people, rather than a system that is accessible to those who truly need support,” he said.
“While Labor may not have the backbone to cut the welfare bill and raise taxes for greater prosperity, the Conservatives are once again the party of working people and we will make Britain work again.”
He is expected to set out the party’s general stance on welfare in his speech next week.
In 2017 the then Conservative government changed the rules on the increased Pip rate so that people could not qualify due to psychological distress; A High Court judge later ruled it was “blatantly discriminatory against people with mental health disorders”.
The Conservatives said plans to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and repeal the Human Rights Act would prevent future changes from facing legal challenges.
A Labor spokesman said: “The Labor Government is already taking tough steps to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year, including reforming the Motability scheme and removing luxury cars.
“Decisions like this are vital so we can grow the economy, reduce debt, shorten NHS waiting lists and reduce the cost of living.”
“Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives have allowed welfare and debt to spiral completely out of control in the face of 14 years of government failure. The Tory message on welfare is: ‘We broke it, now put us back in charge’.”
