Oral Answers to Questions

Jenny Willott Excerpts

Monday 22nd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central) (LD)]

7. What discussions he has had with representatives of the social care sector on the cost of mobility support for disabled people.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb)]

The Government remain committed to involving disabled people when developing their policies, and I can tell my hon. Friend that we discussed the care homes measure with a number of disability organisations at the Department for Work and Pensions policy and strategy forum on 16 November.

[Jenny Willott]

We have already heard a number of concerns raised today about these particular proposals. I understand the Government’s rationale, but what consideration has been given to ensuring that residents in care homes who currently receive mobility disability living allowance will still be able to buy Motability cars, and scooters where appropriate, so that they can remain as independent as possible?

[Steve Webb]

My hon. Friend has raised an important facet of these changes, and I can assure her that the Department is already in discussions with Motability about how it might be handled.