Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions officials in the Department have had with Motability to enable people awarded 10 points for the mobility component of a personal independence award to join the scheme using the standard rate award and a top-up made by the claimant.

Officials for the Department for Work and Pensions meet regularly with Motability, the charity. Senior officials attend the quarterly Board of Governors meetings and at a working level, officials have regular discussions regarding the Motability Scheme. These discussions cover a range of areas of interest for both the Department and Motability. However, while the Department works closely with Motability, it is an independent charity that is responsible for the oversight of the Scheme. Legislation currently only allows claimants in receipt of the higher rate of DLA or the enhanced rate of PIP mobility component to be direct transferred to Motability and therefore join the Scheme.