23/04/2026
PLEASE, don't scroll on.
Disability doesn't discriminate.
Life can start with a disability or can end with a disability.
In between life and death we all want to feel like a valued, accepted person in what is supposed to be a modern society. A person that has lived their life to the fullest, whatever that is it shouldn't feel impossible. Some of us need a bit of assistance to complete everyday tasks but should that be denied?
The Motability vehicle lease scheme has enabled people with disabilities to 'fit in', to work, to gain education, to volunteer, to have a family, to be athletes and to do many things that are often taken for granted if you don't have a disability that affects your mobility.
I don't think I can truly put into words what recent Motability changes and those coming into affect on the 1st of July will mean to so many people.
This petition might not affect you 'right now' but who knows what the future holds?
It might not affect a family member but who knows what the future holds?
If you're reading this I can assure you now that you do have a friend that will be affected, because
'You've got a friend in me'.
The government have decided to take away the VAT relief from vehicles for disabled users. I guess in their eyes they no longer see them as disability equipment, an aid to assist?
It's strange that when I buy items such as wheelchairs, a Triride, a shower handrail etc I get VAT relief as a disabled person, 'for now'.
My car has adaptions to enable me to drive the car safely. I can't just turn up at a car dealership and hire a car as a regular customer.
The changes coming into affect in July, dropping the mileage allowance to 10,000 per year (Just 27 miles per day) from 20,000.
Upping excess mileage from 5p per mile to 25p per mile.
£1,250 for 5,000 excess miles
£2,500 for 10,000 excess miles
£5,000 for 20,000 excess miles
The creeping in Mandatory surveillance...
There's a gadget called 'Drive Smart' put on all Motability leased vehicles for under 30s and new customers.
I'm sure it won't be long before it's put on all vehicles.
What is it, it's a tracking system and app apparently 'Owned By Motability Operations' that, Tracks where you go? When you come and go? How many journeys you make? How long you drive for without a break? How you drive, smoothness, speed, phone usage.
Technology in many cars these days is hands free. But they will red card you for using your phone to stream your preferred music or podcast, for using your preferred sat-nav and of course for taking or making a call even if it's hands free. They are all unnecessary distractions apparently.
You know what distracts me?
Having to listen to some mundane rubbish on the radio, advert after advert.
Getting lost because my car sat-nav is not updated and doesn't take into account sudden road closures or other up to date road conditions.
Seeing I've missed a call from the hospital, Dr's, pharmacy or a sick relative or friend.
Worrying that the pothole I've just avoided, the person running across the road I've just sharply braked for, the person who cut in and closed the sensible gap between me and the other vehicle so I've had to brake hard will put a red mark on my journey.
What checks have been done on the accuracy of this 'Motability Operations' system? How reliable is it? We all know tech is pushed out before all the flaws and bugs are ironed out. Usually these items are fixed by sending update patches. How will this happen?
I've seen several people say they've been marked green on their speed and green on their driving and yet overall they've been marked red for their journey. How does green plus green equal red? What tests have been done for driving with adaptions, hand controls, steering ball etc? Is all this data freely available for us the customer to read before taking on a contract?
I am not a business, I do not work for Motability, I am an individual with a disability who has used my Disability Mobility Allowance to lease a vehicle adapted for my needs for many years. so why track me? Why treat me like a criminal?
Why is it Mandatory? Why weren't we the customers contacted for our input prior to these changes?
All these changes negatively impact disabled people. Once again we are being target. Even though approximately 25% of the UK are classed as having a disability we are a minority group. One of the minority groups that it seems to be OK to discriminate against.
Discrimination against race, religion, s*x or age is protected by law. Disability is supposed to be protected to. It doesn't feel like we receive the same protection at the moment, if anything it feels like we're stepping back to a time were we are seen and treated as second class citizens.
In a world were it feels like people have stopped caring about others as long as they're OK, please show me that compassion, empathy and community still exist.
Please sign the petition and make others aware.
You need to verify your vote via an email so check your junk mail as well as your inbox.
The recent budget has announced taxes on advanced payments and a decrease in mileage allowances. We believe this is unfair to the most vulnerable in society and could affect their independence.
