Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Hurting the vulnerable

The Government "Motability" scheme allows disabled people to lease mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and cars.  But every week, between 400 and 500 people are forced to hand over their vehicles after a controversial “20-metre rule” was introduced, according to a report by a leading charity.

To qualify for a vehicle under the new Personal Independent Payments (Pip) system, a person must not be able to walk for 20 metres. This is less than half the 50-metre limit the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) enforced previously. “This is having a devastating effect on quality of life and levels of independence,” the report said.

Nic Bungay, a director of Muscular Dystrophy UK told The Independent. “The DWP’s shocking ‘20-metre’ rule is stripping thousands of disabled people across Britain of vital lifelines to their independence. It is simply unacceptable that those judged able to walk just 20-metres are being considered fit and forced to return their Motability vehicles,"

By the end of 2016, 35,000 are expected to have lost their vehicles over the course of the year.



No comments: