Nearly 14,000 disabled people have mobility cars taken away
By Nikki Fox
Disability correspondent
Published
3 February 2016
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image captionThe Motability Scheme allows disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair with the help of government funding
Nearly 14,000 disabled people who rely on a specialist motoring allowance have had their cars taken away from them following government welfare changes.
Figures seen by the BBC show almost half of those having to be reassessed for this support under the changes lost their Motability vehicle.
Many had been adapted to meet their owners’ needs and campaigners warn it could lead to a loss of independence.
But the government says the new process is fairer and people can appeal.
More than 650,000 people currently use the Motability Scheme, which allows disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair using their government-funded mobility allowance.
The scheme also helps towards the cost of adaptations – such as a hoist for a wheelchair or hand controls – that the individual requires.
media captionDenise Haddon explains why her car is so important to her
Face-to-face
Until recently, [...]