Motability vehicle changes could force Frome teacher to quit

Kay Millar, 29, from Frome, said the scheme’s new mileage limits will prevent her from keeping her job, travelling for sport and seeing family, while also ending her hopes of retraining as a play therapist.

The changes are due to begin on July 1, and will see Motability users limited to 10,000 miles per year, costing the average user about £400 extra.

Ms Millar, a wheelchair user who has limb paralysis and a movement disorder, said: "The scary thing is we’ve fought for many years to get disabled people functioning in society and this decision is forcing people back into their homes.

"I will not be able to have a job or see my friends. Without a large car, I won't be able to get out of the house.

"If I do leave the house, it’ll cause such significant pain, fatigue and discomfort that it’s not going to be worth it.

"This change is not only going to force people out of driving, but out of work, and I believe people will lose their lives due to mental health."

Motability allows people who receive certain disability benefits to exchange part of their payments for a leased vehicle.

However, the new restrictions mean drivers will be limited to 10,000 miles per year, down from the current 60,000 miles over a three-year lease.

Exceeding the limit could become very costly, with a charge of 25p per mile for anything above 30,000 miles over a three-year lease.

Ms Millar currently drives a Vauxhall Groundland, which is large enough for her assistance dog, two wheelchairs, and a power attachment.

She said: "My current lease is due in November but I can’t afford the additional mileage."

Just two and a half years into her lease she has already driven 42,000 miles.

Under the new rules, she estimates that would have left her with a bill of £3,000 in excess mileage charges.

Her job and daily life require frequent long journeys.

Kay Millar, 29, says she will be unable to work once mileage allowances drop and charges for excess miles soar later this year. (Image: Kay Millar / SWNS)

Ms Millar said: "I lead a very active life.

"I’m on the pathway to become a para-surfer and I'm a wheelchair basketball player.

"I go to Cardiff, Cornwall and Swansea to participate in sport.

"I teach across multiple counties with children who are out of mainstream education.

"I'm constantly driving between houses for work and I also have vulnerable family who can’t get to me."

Her driving needs are further complicated by medical issues that prevent her from working full-time.

Ms Millar said: "I had two heart attacks two-and-a-half years ago, so I was forced to give up teaching full-time, and I’m now on a low income.

"There's no way that with the £380 enhanced rate I get from the DWP I could afford a (non-Motability) leased car, which would cost an estimated £506 a month and £205 a month for enhancements."

She also worries her plans for a career change will be sunk by losing her car.
She said: "I've got a place on a master's course that will take me to Newport, but I'm considering that I might not be able to go.

"I am looking to retrain to become a play therapist because doctors have said I can’t be a teacher anymore under any circumstances because of the physical workload."

Kay said public transport was not a viable alternative for her.

"I have been a disability campaigner for years and I've worked on the public transport system and I still don't have faith in it", she said.

"It’s just not safe for people."

And she warned: "Anyone could become disabled at any time.

"This will impact the workforce, the amount of tax and national insurance that’s paid."

Users of the scheme will also face higher advance payments from July 1.

A Motability spokesperson said: "In November, the UK government announced new taxes for the Motability Scheme which would mean an average £1,100 increase to lease prices from July.

"We know how important a vehicle is for our customers to live independently, which is why we’ve made changes to new leases from July to reduce the increase to £400 on average.

"Existing leases are not affected.

"Changing the mileage allowance of future leases lowers insurance and maintenance costs and increases the vehicle’s resale cost, which reduces the cost of a lease.

"Around three in four people who use the scheme travel within the mileage allowance from July.

"We understand that, in some circumstances, you may need to drive more than the mileage allowance included in your lease.

"We will be introducing an exceptions process for very limited situations and will share an update before July 1."