Shipley MP Philip Davies has accused Motability of “losing sight” of its purpose to help disabled people maintain their independence after it was revealed the organisation is sitting on reserves of £2.4 billion, and is paying its chief executive £1.7million a year.
The organisation allows disabled people to lease cars, wheelchairs or scooters in return for part of their state disability allowance. But this week it was revealed the charitable scheme has a huge cash surplus.
During an urgent question in Parliament Mr Davies said it was clear disabled people did not need to pay such high costs for their vehicles.
Mr Davies said: “Isn’t it the case that not only has the tax payer been overpaying over the years but also disabled people have been overpaying from their benefits to pay for this scheme. Surely they could be getting exactly the same benefits, for a lower amount of money per week and that money could be given back to disabled people to help them pay for their other living costs.”
Questioning Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, he added: “Will she consider allowing this scheme to progress but at a lower cost to disabled people for them to retain more of their benefits because Motability seem to be losing sight of what they were set up to do in the first place.”
Ms McVey said she supported an investigation.
She added: “He raises a good point and this issue is uniting all sides of the House, the first step being taken is the National Audit Office will look in to that and the suggestions the member for Shipley puts forward seem fair and right and that is a matter we should pursue.”
Mr Davies said the surplus was effectively public money and it was unjustifiable a charitable service for the disabled has accrued such surplus and it should be taken back.