Motability on the Roads |
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Laura Hartson
Articlesbase
July 8, 2011
Author: Laura Hartson
The government released a scheme last year called the Motability operation, and this meant that disabled people were able to drive BMWs and Mercedes under lease, as they were easier to navigate for people with impairments. The benefit was around fifty pounds per week which could be used to lease private vehicles, but it seems that the benefit is being abused by friends and family who just want the privilege of being able to drive a luxury vehicle. The scheme, run by former P&O ferry chairman Lord Sterling was designed to improve the life and mobility of those worse off than ourselves, taking them to the doctor or to places that they really need to be.
The scheme was designed to provide a lifeline for disabled people, but it seems that over two hundred thousand of the cars are being used to the advantage of gutless relatives, who are accentuating their lifestyles and costing the honest tax payer over five hundred thousand pounds per year. The fact that the scheme has been badly policed has even seen some relatives parking the car over fifty miles away and using it to their own benefit; meaning that the people who are supposed to benefit from these helpful additions are not even seeing them, let alone being able to use them to aid their lives.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokeswoman said: 'Motability is an independent charity which is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the scheme and DWP has regular reviews to monitor its performance.
'Motability provides a vital service for disabled people. However, any misuse of taxpayers' money is unacceptable and it is essential that we get the gateway to receipt of DLA right.'
The most famous instance of someone abusing the scheme came from the Welsh welterweight boxing champion Keith Jones, who was given a car and used it to drive to the gym. He was awarded the vehicle when his asthma became bad, and claimed that he didn't realise he should notify the scheme when it improved.
If you are driving on the roads in the UK then you need Car Insurance to cover you in the instance of an accident.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/motability-on-the-roads-5002371.html
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