PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(13 July 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 126865 on Motability: Rural Areas, what estimate his Department has made of the average annual mileage driven by Motability Scheme customers living in rural areas, and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Rebecca Smith (Conservative)

Whilst the Department works closely with Motability and is responsible for the main disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme, Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Scheme, along with oversight of Motability Operations.

Motability have stated that, on average, customers drive around 7,500 miles a year but understand that living in rural areas often means having to travel further to access everyday services. On 14 July they announced that to support this, they are adding up to 3,000 additional miles per year onto the lease for certain customers.

They’ve used the Governments' data on rural isolation to identify the areas with limited access to essential services. The data looks at the typical travel time to services that people regularly rely on, including grocery shopping, healthcare and education. Motability will identify and contact those eligible for this support and contact them directly by email or letter.

Answered by:
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