Disabled rural drivers 'would be hit hardest' by Motability cuts

Disabled drivers in rural Scotland are worried they could lose their independence or face high charges due to changes to the Motability scheme.

The scheme allows disabled people to use part of their disability benefit to lease a vehicle, which many rely on for their work, health and everyday life.

New mileage limits and higher insurance excess charges are to be introduced elsewhere in the UK from July, which Motability says is necessary to manage rising costs.

The changes had been due to take effect in Scotland, but discussions between the Scottish government and Motability have delayed this date. There is now uncertainty over when the changes will roll out.

Campaigners say rural communities, with limited public transport, would be hit the hardest.

From 1 July, new Motability leases elsewhere in the UK will include a standard annual mileage allowance of 10,000 miles a year - half the previous 20,000-mile limit.

Drivers who exceed that allowance will be charged 25p for every additional mile.

Insurance, servicing, maintenance and road tax are also included in the scheme.

Graeme Stuart, a wheelchair user from Balloch, says the proposals would affect his work and daily life.

He relies on his Motability vehicle to travel to work at Scotland's national spinal injuries unit, attend medical appointments and compete in wheelchair curling.

His current lease allows up to 60,000 miles over three years. He expects to be close to that figure when the agreement ends next year.

Stuart said that maintaining his current travel pattern under the proposed rules could leave him facing excess mileage charges of around £7,500 over a three-year lease.

"If it stays at 10,000 miles, then there's no decision at all," he said.

"It would be daft for me to continue with Motability."

For many users, particularly in areas with limited public transport, the scheme is essential.

"This is my lifeline," Stuart said.

"If I didn't have this, then I wouldn't have as good a life as I've got."

He believes the proposed changes could create additional barriers for disabled people trying to remain in employment.

"Effectively they're saying, 'We want you in work but we're going to put barriers in place'."

Similar concerns have been raised on the Isle of Skye.

Dr Caroline Gould (PhD), who uses a powered wheelchair and lives in Broadford, relies on a specially adapted wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

Hospital appointments often involve journeys to Inverness or Glasgow. Visiting her 94-year-old mother means a return trip of more than 1,200 miles.

She said the proposed changes failed to reflect the reality of living in remote parts of Scotland.

"I think people are going to end up not having the life they want to live, not having the independence that they want," she said.

Gould said accessible transport alternatives were often unavailable.

"I have no alternative other than to use my wheelchair-accessible vehicle."

Disability organisations have also raised concerns.

Maureen Morrison, chief executive of Spinal Injuries Scotland, said many disabled people already faced barriers to employment, healthcare and social activities.

She warned that higher mileage charges could leave some people travelling less or becoming more isolated.

Responding to Motability's claim that around 73% of customers drive fewer than 10,000 miles a year, she asked: "What about the rest?"

Motability said the changes were a response to tax measures announced in the UK government's autumn budget.

The organisation estimates those measures will add around £300m a year to the cost of running the scheme by the end of the decade.

Without changes, it says lease costs could increase by around £1,100 over three years. The new measures are intended to reduce that increase to about £400 on average.

A Motability spokesperson said: "We know how important a vehicle is for our customers to live independently."

The organisation said around three quarters of customers already drive within the new mileage allowance and confirmed an exceptions process would be introduced for a limited number of cases.

Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ministers were working with Motability to reduce uncertainty and ensure disabled people continued to receive appropriate support.

The Scottish government said talks were continuing to seek a solution before any changes are introduced in Scotland.