Motability

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Motability cars were being used in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available; how much funding from the public purse was contributed towards the cost of adapted vehicles for the scheme in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. (280711)

There are currently 431,241 Motability cars being used in England and Wales. Details of funding provided to Motability are in the following table.

*Funding provided to Motability*
£000
	Specialised vehicles fund	Administration
2004-05	8,375	2,700
2005-06	8,615	2,800
2006-07	9,087	2,800
2007-08	12,700	2,960
2008-09	17,036	2,960
Notes: Motability administers the specialised vehicles fund on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Fund provides financial assistance to those disabled drivers or passengers on the scheme who require extensive adaptations to their vehicles. The majority of these adaptations allow the disabled person to travel as a passenger, where necessary entering the vehicle and travelling while remaining seated in a wheelchair. Source: Motability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the savings which would accrue to her Department if cars used for the Motability scheme were changed every six years; and if she will make a statement. (280712)

Motability is an independent charity and is responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme. We have no reason to believe that this Department would accrue any savings if Motability changed their cars every six years.

Volume 494: debated on Thursday 25 June 2009