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Crazy benefits system need an overhaul

(219 Posts)
Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 18:00:52

I am absolutely in shock that a friend has just visited in a £47,000 Volvo given to them by the state. The only only additional payment was a deposit of £3,100. They also get free road tax, parking, tires and apparently don't have to worry where they park as they just give the vehicle back in two years time for a new one. Scratches aren't a problem.

I knew people could get a top up benefit, mobility, that they can give to a car dealer for a car but I was expecting a vehicle of much smaller value.

I am not against the disabled being helped and supported, that's a given for me but this is a step too far.

Why have they allowed this benefit to get to this level?

We live In an age were children are about to be denied free school dinners when it's possibly the only hot meal they may have all day, pensioners dying because they are being refused heating payment, people denied cancer drugs because we can't afford it, homeless.....the list goes on.

1. Why not reduce the value for the cars as this figure seems disproportionate and wrong.
2. You should not be able to buy a car of this value on benefits when somebody working 40 hours per week could not afford to do so.
3. Do a deal with a car manufacturer ( all the British ones have gone) who employees British people and at least let our own country benefit from employment in manufacturing.
4. If you can afford £3,100 deposit for a 4x4 then you are receiving too much benefit.
5. You won't die without a car but you might through lack of food, heating or treatment. Cheaper cars should be given and then share the rest of the funds amongst the needy.
Is anyone else shocked at the value of the cars you can get on the benefits system?

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 21:47:28

That Tata get everywhere, don't they, N&G! No wonder they wanted the steel works in Wales.

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:46:45

Right now I am being insulted by idiots who don't even know me, for having an opinion, I am done.
My point still stands, the cars on the scheme are too expensive when cheaper ones would do when we have people being denied life saving treatment and drugs because we can't afford it. I will never understand a system which allows people to run around in a Sports car and leave somebody else without treatment. That's my opinion and I am entitled to it.

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 21:45:50

I was asking you, Poly, what you meant by British cars. Why is that pathetic?
You mention Skoda being the equivalent of an Audi, neither of which are made in Britain.

My son has a Skoda Octavia, and his dad could never get into it without it hurting as the seats are too low.
What's pathetic about thinking of the practical. That's why people try out cars.
We had four motability cars over the years so knew what to look for.
Nice to know you think my comments about something I really know about are pathetic.

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-May-17 21:45:39

Ford don't build any cars in the UK , only engines at Dagenham. Transit vans in Southampton.

Tata own Landrover.

There are only 3 British cars made in the U.K these days Morgan , Caterham and McLaren ( none available on Motability smile)

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:34:50

Paddyann, what an assumption. We both have are own cars, both top of the range and collectively cost just under £100,000. Worked all our lives thanks, so "can afford" and far from sad, very happy thanks

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 21:30:05

And Ford had lots of factories here, even though it was American, and hasn't built any cars here since 2002, I don't think, have they N&G?
Should all motability cars be Landrover, or are they owned by foreigners?

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:29:27

Your comment is pathetic durhamjen. You will be telling me next that somebody on housing benefit should have a million pound house and why not, is that too good for them. I suggest you read the oringinal post properly.
I suggested that the cars allowed should be made by British workers on British soil so at least those people have orders and hopefully stay employed....How selfish of me!!

paddyann Sat 20-May-17 21:29:14

another "I'm all right jack" so you're ok with disablled folk getting cheap runabouts but not expensive cars... is it that you dont want anyone who dares claim from the state to have something YOU cant afford? How sad

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 21:24:40

Strangely enough, Motability don't have a search category for British or foreign cars. Do you count cars made in Britain, but for foreign companies, e.g. Nissan or Toyota?

www.motability.co.uk/cars-scooters-and-powerchairs/search/

Whe looking for a Motability car, that is the last thing on your mind. It's usually things like how easy it is to get in and out, how wide the doors open, how high the boot is and the seats are, how easy it will be to adapt.

Why did your brother get his DLA or PIP? Can he walk 20 meters?

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-May-17 21:20:39

Actually Tata owns Jaguar and Fiat owns Jeep smile

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:20:16

I take your point Luckygirl. I am not against anyone getting this benefit as being assumed by some. What I am aposed to is the vehicles on the scheme. Many of these vehicles share the same platform due to cost, so an Audi (certain models) has to same platform as a Skoda and so on. As they have the same platform they are the same size vehicle so we are not comparing a little fiat to a family car. They have the same platform but the skoda is so much cheaper than the Audi. It's the expensive cars on the scheme I disagree with.

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-May-17 21:18:59

Actually Poly I worked all my life , so whilst this is a benefit it's one which I and many others contributed to with our taxes etc . It's not free in that sense .

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 21:16:48

How many actual British cars are there nowadays?
Jaguar? Jeeps?
Poly doesn't want people in those, far too good for those with disabilities.

Luckygirl Sat 20-May-17 21:11:29

It is so difficult when people make judgements looking from the outside in - I am not getting at you OP, but it is often very difficult to know the full facts of these situations.I used to be involved in helping folk to get the benefits they are entitled to and believe me there are many folk not getting the benefits they are entitled to, and struggling unnecessarily.

I do take your point about British cars and it would make sense if the scheme could favour these where they are suitable for someone's needs.

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:10:35

Sorry nanna, but who pays your monthly mobility allowance...the tax payer. So the car to you is free. My husband has just celebrated 40 years at Jaguar Landrover and is amazed at the vehicles on the car list above.

mcem Sat 20-May-17 21:08:39

My daughter is one who lost her car. An appeal is pending but it was a case of removing the allowance and then asking questions.
By the way, an economical little runabout would have been of no use to her because of her conditions.
For her hospital appointments now she relies on her partner or, when he's at work, a family member, as her taxi fare is approx £30 each way.
I'd take your friend's stories with a pinch of salt and would hope that you don't think such an inaccurate view applies to all who rely on Notability.

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 21:05:22

It's not for nothing in the medical sense but it is for nothing. It's not worked for. It's a benefit just like any other. I have obviously hit a nerve with you durhamjen. I am not callous and I do have people in my family who receive this benefit so you shouldn't assume.....and I assure you that if my brother ever turns up in a BMW sport or jeep I would say the same to him. I am very happy for him to get around but would prefer if it was a sensibly priced car and the difference given to the freezing lady down the road or the homeless man on the street.

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-May-17 21:00:22

My husband worked for Ford Motor Co for 35 years so I do have an insight Poly. They buy at a reduced price for a number of reasons. Sheer volume and it's guaranteed volume. It allows manufacturers to plan production and also to push lines that aren't selling well or usually lines that are due for upgrade or replacement. Improved Brand awareness.

The 3 year 'lifespan' also improves the used car market .

The manufacturer doesn't lose out. For instance this year I chose a SEAT . A brand that has previously not been available under the scheme.

I didn't get the vehicle for nothing , I paid the required advance payment . I pay a monthly lease from my mobility allowance . So it's not free. I need a mobility scooter so the choice for me was limited to vehicles that I can get my scooter in. For a number of years this was the only reason I could continue to work. I get no other benefits, but I will always be grateful for being able to use the scheme .

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 20:51:24

They don't get it for nothing. Just be grateful you do not need a motability car, Poly. There is obviously nobody in your family who needs one either, or you would not be so callous.
My husband would have been very pleased not to have needed one for 15 years. I would have been pleeased, too, to not have to lift him onto a wheelchair, wheel him out to the car, lift him into the car, put the wheelchair into the boot, then do the reverse on stopping. Doing that there and back for any journey was quite an ordeal for us both.

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 20:46:00

Too be eligible for hr mob under the new pip scheme, your mobility must be less than 20 meters,unless you also have a mental health problem which can get you extra points.
Under the previous DLA the distance you could walk had to be less than 50m

From Galen.

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 20:44:59

NannandGrampy, thank you for that info. How are they buying at a reduced price. My husband works in the car industry and somebody has to subsidise the vehicle somewhere because the manufacturing company will not lose out.
We will just have to disagree on the limited choice I am afraid. What do people want for nothing. If I was in need I would be grateful for anything

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 20:38:32

Durhamjen, really? Why did they lose their cars?

NanaandGrampy Sat 20-May-17 20:38:01

Just because something has a RRP of £47,000 does not mean that's what it costs.

If you obtain your vehicle through the Motability system , there is a choice of vehicles each with an advance payment . So the choice is already limited ( not all the makes and not all the models). Motability then obtain these vehicles through a leasing scheme at a hugely reduced price ( economies of scale etc).

After 3 years ( not 2 , but can be up to 4 years) , you hand the car back, and start again. Motability then sell on the vehicle and recoup part of the purchase price.

So, it's not quite what you assumed Poly.

Poly580 Sat 20-May-17 20:36:30

Elegan have just looked at the mobility list and the most expensive Volvo is £35,000 so I don't know why my friend would lie about that. I am even more shocked at the choice in that list BMW 5 door sport, it's a joke!

durhamjen Sat 20-May-17 20:23:44

50,000 people have lost their motability cars under the new scheme, up until 17th April 2017.
Is that not enough?

Elegran, nowadays you can buy the car from Motablility after the three year lease is up.