30-03-2025
Motability launches PR drive amid row over BMWs on benefits
The charity behind a scheme under fire for providing subsidised BMWs to disability benefits claimants is to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a public relations fightback.
The Motability Foundation, which oversees the taxpayer-subsidised Motability scheme, is hiring a new Public Affairs Manager, Senior Strategic Communications Manager and Director of Public Policy on a combined salary of at least £250,000.
It comes as the service has faced a string of negative headlines in recent weeks over its spiralling costs.
Earlier this month The Telegraph highlighted a series of benefit fraud cases where claimants exaggerated illnesses to acquire Motability cars, including a mother who exaggerated her arthritis to obtain seven cars on the scheme.
Critics said the investment shows Motability has a 'growing PR problem', with the charity 'clearly worried' about its reputation.
The Motability scheme allows successful claimants to exchange part of their disability payments for brand new cars – including BMWs and Ford Mustangs that would otherwise cost as much as £54,000 – if they also pay a down payment.
Surge in popularity
It has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with the number of users ballooning from 635,000 in 2020 to a record 815,000 in 2024.
Over the same period, the scheme's income from benefits payments – paid for by the taxpayer – has increased by £800 million, rising by 41 per cent from £1.99 billion to £2.81 billion.
It has been branded out of control by critics who fear the broad range of qualifying conditions – which include ADHD, autism and anxiety, providing they affect the claimant's mobility – leaves it vulnerable to exploitation.
However, it was ultimately left unscathed by Sir Keir Starmer's sweeping welfare cuts, as the changes to personal independence payments (PIP) – the benefit required to qualify for Motability – will only alter its 'daily living' component.
It means anyone who receives the enhanced level of 'mobility' PIP, worth £3,939 annually, can continue to lease a subsidised vehicle, subject to an additional down payment, worth up to 12 times as much.
The Motability Foundation oversees the Motability scheme, while contracting a separate company, Motability Operations, to run the day-to-day service.
In recent weeks, the charity has sought to hire three new staff who deal with PR – a Public Affairs Manager on £50,000, a Senior Strategic Communications Manager on £60,000-£64,000, and a new Director of Policy and Oversight on £140,000.
It is still accepting applications for the Public Affairs Manager, who will be tasked with 'promoting and enhancing awareness of the Motability Foundation among key political stakeholders'.
The job description appears to have been written prior to Labour's benefits cuts, as it refers to 'potential welfare reform on the horizon'.
The Senior Strategic Communications Manager role was advertised in the last few days.
New 'policy unit'
The advert for the Director of Policy and Oversight, which was listed three weeks ago, according to LinkedIn, is now closed.
This more senior director will have a wider strategic role. However, they will be required to work alongside the public affairs team. They will also be responsible for setting up a new 'policy unit' and maintaining an 'influential relationship' with the Government.
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, told The Telegraph: 'Motability is clearly worried that it has been found out as an abuse of billions of pounds of taxpayer cash. It is hiring expensive PR and policy staff to defend its position.'
Joe Robertson, the Tory MP for Isle of Wight East, said: 'Motability clearly has a growing PR problem, and there are serious questions to answer.
'The scheme was intended to support those with genuine mobility needs, but a whole industry has emerged which is responsible for one in five new cars on the road today and for pushing the Government's EV agenda.
'Motability has clearly grown well beyond its original intention, and the taxpayer is picking up the bill.'
He added: 'The Government cannot sit by. It must investigate and clamp down on both fraudulent activity and wasteful spending as part of its so-called welfare reforms.'
