I have taken the oppinion that if you can afford a car you can afford to pay car parking charges.
Although saying that the government seems to take the view that if you are seriosly disabled you can claim mobalilty alowance worth several thousand a year. My dad has leased a Fiat Doublo under this scheem (if you go for the base model you don't have to pay anything out of your own pocket). This is justified since I can't see my dad being able to cope with public transport, even with the 24 hour care he recives. Thus not giving my dad (and others like him) a car would have left him without transport - public or private. In these circumstances free parking is debatable in my view.
For other blue badge holders that are not serriosly disabled and could use public transport, why let them buy a car with their own money, only to be given free parking?
.......Saying that my parents are well off and could easily afford a new car without any government help. Maybe we need more means tested benifits?
|
|
Working for Architects I can shed some light here, the building regulations and DDA determine the height of the ticket machines, too high and wheelchair users cannot reach, too low and persons suffering from bad backs cannot reach and councils don't see it as economic to install 2 machines everywhere. Of course the fact that they are alowed to park on double yellows wherever they like is another matter.
Edited by mrsarcasm on 18/09/2008 at 14:33
|
I drove through Skegness a couple of weeks ago: a mile and a half of double yellow lines along the seafront and every yard parked up solidly with "disabled" blue badge holders.
If double yellows are genuinely there for safety and traffic flow reasons, NO parking should be allowed.
|
|
|
|
Just seems odd to me.
Subsidies are usually linked to ability to pay and yet my old man, who has more money than me, parks his brand new mobility scheme Ford C Max (or C Fax as he calls it) on a Council car park for free and poor old me parks our four year old Punto next to him (say) and have to shell out £3. Weird country.
|
|
Does that mean that Ronnie Corbett would park his Roller for free Mr S?
|
|
|
Apart from its own six disabled bays, Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool employs a car park company to handle parking areas and fees.
Although it does provide plenty of disabled car parking, it charges the same £2 fee as for able-bodied patients and visitors; what's more they have to walk almost as far to the main hospital entrance.
|
; what's more they have to walk almost as farto the main hospital entrance.
That reminds me of the old urban tale of the disablement benefits office that was two storeys up in a building with no lift and at the far end of the floor from the stairs. Claimants had to apply in person but if they could make it to the office then they obviously weren't disabled enough to claim the benefit..........
|
Depends on the disablity - my wife is house-bound unless I take her out - to do that we have to use the car... if I go out on my own I can walk in (and do!)... in view of all the other restrictions my wife has when out and about, such as limited access to places, free parking is one of the few good things she can get... and some want to take it away?... Cheers anyhow!
Edited by b308 on 18/09/2008 at 16:28
|
I have a problem with people who have disabled badges and don't need them or have disabled dependents and then use the badges to park where they like even when the dependents aren't with them. Where I work, there are a number of these such people. The other day I saw an old biddy park up with a blue badge and then quite ably walk out and up the street, didn't look disabled to me!
Luke.
|
I suppose the answer, therefore, is that disabled people have to use public car parks a lot more than able people and it would be unfair to charge them? It is not based on the assumption that disabled people can't afford to pay for parking.
As I have hinted it is a bit galling to see a new £30k Discovery with four people in it park for free and yet me in my £2.5k Punto have to shell out for the same facility.
|
I think most genuinely disabled people would prefer their health back to free parking!
I agree, Luke, that there are those who misuse their badge and I have no problem with them getting done like they are on that other thread... I actually think that it should be more difficult to get one as well, and though I appreciate ours, I did feel that it was a little too easy to get!
BTW some disablilities are not obvious from just looking at someone, so the person you see and think may be trying it on may just be genuine!
Edited by b308 on 18/09/2008 at 18:57
|
|
|
>I suppose the answer, therefore, is <
As the logic behind this seems rather confused, perhaps the true answer is that by making small a financial concession the establishment has shown that it cares about disability, and has salved its conscience.
|
As the logic behind this seems rather confused perhaps the true answer is that by making small a financial concession the establishment has shown that it cares about disability and has salved its conscience.
I would hope that its more to do with the fact that society is now admitting that disabled people exist and can make useful contributions to Society rather than being stuffed away in a "home" somewhere never to be seen again... Also alongside this the Law has been changed to ensure that disabled people get a fair chance in life...
|
|
|
The other day I saw an old biddy park up with a blue badge
and then quite ably walk out and up the street didn't look disabled to me!
Luke.
Luke,
Just because someone does'nt look disabled, DOES NOT mean that they are'nt.
My wife is 31 and has been disabled for 7 yrs now. She has a blue badge. Because of other peoples ignorance, she does not like using the badge unless i am with her. This is because she is fed up with other like minded people tut-tut'ing when she parked in a disabled bay, yet got out and because she is young people assume wrongly that she must be faking it and/or using someone else's badge.
In reference to another post, SHE would love not to have a blue badge and to have a "normal" life but her illness and chronic pain prevents this.
Please think next time you see someone you think is disabled.. they probaly are!!
|
If they can walk 100 yards they are not disabled enough to get a blue badge. I would like the whole blue badge thing to be reviewed and given a new title. IMOBILITY BADGE
and before you have a go at me - I had a family member (since died of the medical condition) who qualified for and took a blue badge altho they were perfectly mobile.
And no - sorry ME does not qualify for a blue badge IMHO.
|
And no - sorry ME does not qualify for a blue badge IMHO.
Surely it's the symptoms that govern qualification, not the diagnosis.
|
>> And no - sorry ME does not qualify for a blue badge IMHO. Surely it's the symptoms that govern qualification not the diagnosis.
Fair comment BP
|
|
Jimbano - well said that man, very well said.
|
How can anyone begrudge the truly disabled a free parking space? I have a good friend who was diagnosed with MS when he was 29. Prior to that he was an extremely talented sportsman - single figure handicap golfer, excellent club fast bowler and batsman, etc, etc. His decline over the last 20 years has been very sad, his brain and upper body are as normal but his legs no longer work.
He still works full time and has had hand controls fitted to his car but apart from that he receives nowt from the state and remains independent and invariably positive in his approach to life - a fine example to all.
To suggest that he should lose his privilege with regard to parking because there are a few "cheats" about or because he "could afford to pay" upsets me.
As it says in French carparks at the disabled palces "Take my parking space? Take my disability".
Let the disabled have a few privileges, free parking amounts to a miniscule amount in the great scheme of things and is scant compensation for the problems many disabled face
- and thank goodness if you are lucky enough not to be disabled.
regards
Phil
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 21/09/2008 at 00:39
|
This is, and can be, a very emotive subject.
In my supermarket manager days, I used to hate these disabled parking bays, they gave me so much hassle. Some disabled felt they had the absolute right to get a space at front door. I remember getting a phone call from a disabled male, from the car park, as there was no disabled spaces available. Just as I went out to investigate, a space became available, he parked up, told me we didn't have enough spaces and then proceeded to walk round, not just my shop, but the whole shopping centre. For those who know Glasgow, it is between Glasgow and the Airport.
But then from another perspective, my friend recently became paralysed as a result of a tragic domestic accident. She is trying to get mobile again and watching everything she needs to do to get from wheelchair to driving seat is quite amazing and is all down to sheer upper body strength. She needs the extra wide spaces to be able to do this.
Going back to the issues of charges, on one hand why should they get free parking as opposed to free bread, tv, broadband, make up or whatever? I don't know the answer to that. Personally I don't think they should, but as soon as you tried to introduce means testing then a whole industry pops up on how to beat the system.
It may well be something as simple as the fact that when in a wheelchair, a lot of the pay and display type machines may be too high to access the coin slot? Of course not everyone is in a wheelchair though.
|
I have absolutely no problem with genuinely disabled drivers using the blue badge properly. What does make me fume are the minority who think that said badge is an excuse to park BADLY; not so much in car parks of course but on the street.
I accept that disabled drivers may need to park on a double yellow line, and again I don't really mind; it's when they park near a junction or in the most narrow part of a street that it bugs me. Lorries might not be popular in town centres, and for good reason, but there wouldn't be a lot in the shops if we didn't go there sometimes; not all shops have a rear loading bay, and unfortunately those that do are often blocked by blue badge holders.
As usual, a few spoil it for the rest.
|
Maybe it's just a small way in way in which we are a civilised society, a tiny gesture towards levelling the odds.
It costs nothing and if a disabled person doesn't want to use the space then it's their choice.
Edited by Nsar on 18/09/2008 at 23:37
|
Ignoring discounts for annual season it's £5.50 a day to park at the rail station, blue badge holders get in foc. Able bodied pax like me can walk, cycle or get a bus.
And that's before needing to use lifts instead of running up the stairs or waiting for the man with a ramp to access the train.
|
Harleyman, when you get your Badge you also get regulations which tell you where you can and cannot park. One of those is that you must park safely and not cause an obstruction, so you would be perfectly entitled to politely ask them to move! I also am infuriated by people who park inconsiderately using a Badge.
Parking is not all free for all disabled drivers. In many carparks you must have a tax exempt car, which means my husband/son only get free parking if they are in my car. At our local hospitals you pay the same as any other person. The only difference is that we are more likely to be at the hospital - I think we have totted up some 30 visits so far this year, all but one over an hour so each visit has been a minimum of £3. We do not have the choice of parking further away and bussing in as others can.
As said by others, absolutely NO perk you get for being disabled compensates for the 24 hour a day, 365 days a year, relentlessness of being disabled on both the disabled person, their partner and their children. In the case of a child apply that to their parents and siblings.
|
when you get your Badge you also get regulations which tell you where youcan and cannot park.
One of those is that you must park safely and notcause an obstruction so you would be perfectly entitled to politely ask them to move!
I wasn't aware of that, thanks. I promise to be nice to them! ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
>>weren't disabled enough to claim the benefit...>>
I can understand where you are coming from. However, if people knew just how many serious illnesses my other half has suffered over the past 15 years, for instance, (and with at least one more vital operation to undertake next week) they wouldn't have any quibble with her having a disabled badge.
In fact, if she is feeling reasonably well, she can walk a reasonable distance, but it is not very often.
It is me, of course, who is the driver for her various forages to hospitals in the North West, but I can assure you that in no way do I abuse the badge if I am on my own, whilst the suggestion that we should pay to park at a hospital adds insult to injury, especially as at least two hospitals involve an 18-20 mile or more each way journey.
The only exception is if I am called out in the middle of the night when she is hospitalised and I have no qualms about using the disabled parking area at the main entrance as few, if any, are disadvantaged as a result.
Edited by Stuartli on 19/09/2008 at 00:42
|
From what I gather, some councils allow free parking in their car parks to help reduce the number of cars parking on double yellows.
I say *some* councils. Both Oxfordshire and Wiltshire allow disabled free parking in their car parks, but the likes of Bournemouth, Weymouth, (and probably many more besides) only allow disabled free parking if the tax disc displays "NIL" in the payment area of the disc.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 19/09/2008 at 01:29
|
|
|
The whole 'disability' industry has got totally out of hand. I run my own business and am bein run itno the ground paying taxes to support these people 90% of them should get off their backsides and get a job instead of wallowing in misery. I know there are some genuinely disabled people maybe 10% of the total. How can they park up and then walk around a megastore unaiaded.
Most of them get motability cars. Motability is quoted in the paper as the biggest fleet in the UK. They have half a million cars run by so-called disabled. When the conservatives get in this is going to be one of the first things stopped becasue its completely out of control.
|
How can they park up and then walk around a megastore unaiaded.
::points upwards to posts made by b308 & jimbano::
|
|
|
When the conservatives get in this is going to be one of the first things stopped becasue its completely out of control.
lets hope they get rid of the 'i dont know who was driving' excuse thats also out of control and abused by many
glass houses....stones etc
back on topic...here most carparks have a policy that if you park legally in a disabled spot you dont pay but in a normal parking place blue badge or not you pay which i think is fair enough after all disabled parking is and always should be treated as a priviledge not a right (and i have a blue badge)
Edited by welshlad on 19/09/2008 at 01:55
|
|
|
"am bein run itno the ground paying taxes to support these people"
I imagine running a 530i, a license full of points, insurance and upcoming fine isn't helping your case.
|
Light blue touch paper and stand well back . . .
I feel that we mollycoddle these people too much.
I remember when I was about 16 seeing an old man on a pushbike. Did not look that well off but managed to get around fine. Carrier bag of shopping hanging from the handlebars.
If he could ride a pushbike with one leg amputated well above the knee, trouser leg pinned up, and his crutch clipped to the front upright why do so many of the "disabled" these days NEED to use a car?
We are told that exercise helps the heart and extends life expectancy - doesn't this apply to the disabled as well? And would a 50 yard walk to the supermarket really harm them that much?
My paternal grandfather was entitled to a card and would not have it, he was a farm labourer (not exactly easy work 30 years ago) until the day he died in 1978 (died at work of heart attack aged 72).
My mother in law is entitled to a card and won't have it - she has no difficulty walking a mile.
|
|
The BB holders, disabled or not, who use the limited drop off spaces at our bus station for shopping or whatever do the disabled cause no favours. The parking stasi only give the non BB holders minimal time (dont try waiting to pick someone up from a bus) on the rare occaision you can find room to stop. The BB holders also have free and full access to our pedestrianised high street for parking, (except noon to 3pm), work that one out!
|
>>I feel that we mollycoddle these people too much.
Well, they're not all the same you know - it's not a big conspiracy of mildly inconvenienced people trying to swipe our tax-pounds & pulling a fast all the time. That term rather objectivises, de-personalises & villifies a sector of people.
If he could ride a pushbike with one leg amputated well above the knee, trouser leg pinned up, and his crutch clipped to the front upright why do so many of the "disabled" these days NEED to use a car?
Do you think he actually wanted to though? If he had the opportunity to drive a subsidised car I'm sure he would have jumped at it (no pun intended!).
My paternal grandfather was entitled to a card and would not have it, he was a farm labourer (not exactly easy work 30 years ago) until the day he died in 1978 (died at work of heart attack aged 72).
My mother in law is entitled to a card and won't have it - she has no difficulty walking a mile.
As you've noted from your relatives' experiences - some people can benefit & are able to work/walk despite medical conditions (your MiL) - others (like your grandfather) may well have benefited from some kind of dispensation. Everyone's different.
|
I remember when I was about 16 seeing an old man on a pushbike. Did not look that well off but managed to get around fine. Carrier bag of shopping hanging from the handlebars.
Do you really think that would be feasable in todays traffic conditions? I think not!
|
"From what I gather, some councils allow free parking in their car parks to help reduce the number of cars parking on double yellows."
This is one thing that infuriates me about the BB scheme - a complete lack of consistancy across the UK - Worcestershire seems to allow BB parking in ordinary spaces if there are no disabled spaces free, with us thats ok as long as its near to where we are going and I have enough room to open the door fully, but I end up having to check all the signs when we venture to other counties which can be a real pain at some multistories - there should be consistancy throughout the UK.
Jez, some of your other posts eleswhere raised my eyebrows but your latest comment takes the biscuit... my wife was a perfectly healthy 40 yo a few years ago, now she can't even go out of the house unaided... thats how quickly an illness can come on... think about that before you make any other posts like that, eh?!
Edited by b308 on 19/09/2008 at 10:49
|
|
|
>>Most of them get motability cars.>>
Well I'm still paying our own nine-year-old car's running expenses, including tax, insurance, fuel etc, although a Motability vehicle could perfectly properly be acquired using my wife's Mobility Allowance.
Does it ever strike you what Motability means and represents?
It's estimated that at least 10 per cent of the UK population is disabled and, for many of them, the means to achieve some level of mobility is of considerable importance.
It's easy to sit on the fence and scoff at others' misfortunes; remember, however, you could very well be in the same boat yourself one day.
Edited by Stuartli on 19/09/2008 at 10:51
|
"It's easy to sit on the fence and scoff at others' misfortunes; remember, however, you could very well be in the same boat yourself one day."
Given that he's an appalling driver in a car that's way beyond his ability, we shouldn't have to wait too long.
|
|
Jez, could you give us an exact figure for the number of disabled people you employ in your business and in what capacity?
|
|
|
>When the conservatives get in this is going to be one of the first things stopped
Not sure where you got this from - David Cameron was the person who made sure young children were treated more fairly for the mobility component of DLA
|
Always a pleasure to see Jez wading in with his golden stream of logic.
|
Just a reminder of the original question 'why don't disabled people have to pay to park (like able bodied people)'.
So the views are, based on replies received so far:-
1. They use public car parks more than able bodied people so it is only fair that they shouldn't have to pay or,
2. They cannot reach or walk to the cash machine and it is uneconomical to put in special 'reachable' cash machines or,
3. They've had a raw deal in life so this is the least that they deserve.
Or a combination of the above.
I didn't intend to raise the age old debate of people scamming the system I just struggle with the logic.
|
|
Which if any of those three cause you problems?
|
Strikes me that some of the posters exhibit a touch of the green-eyed monster (except that it's blue in this case)..:-)
As my other half often comments, she'd give up disabled benefits and the Blue Badge like a shot just to have her full health back and be able, for example, to go for long walks in the countryside or enjoy holidays again either in the UK or abroad.
|
None in partic cause me a problem but I may not have listed them all.
Just wondered why if that's OK.
|
|
My child (aged 8) is disabled and cannot fasten her seatbelt on her own, cannot get in/out of a car unaided and bangs her head everytine we have to park next to another car as she gets out of her car seat. I have a very tired back from all the lifting. But as she can walk the required distance (very very slowly) is not entitled to a blue badge. Someone I work with (yes!!) does not have any of these problems and has a blue badge. Work that out;-)
|
|
Shanna, I suggest that you go to you local CAB or Disability Support group, as you should appeal this decision. If you would like to ask the mods, they would give you my email address, if you need further information. The rules for children work in a slightly different way than for adults.
|
|
Going back to your other problem, the loop-hole in the law that Tiff exploited has been closed. Now if a person can not be identified as the driver at the time of the alleged offence, the resonibilty will lay with the registered owner and keeper of the vehicle.
Most likley if you go to court you may get away with a 14 day ban and a heavy fine - positive point being that you're licence will not be endorsed with any points. (happened to a client of mine)
However you may end up with 6 points and a heavy fine. Insurance wise, points are less costly than a ban. Points also expire after 4 years.
The best way to deal with this one is to decide amongst you and your wife which one of you will take the fixed penalty - which really is your safest option.
I'm sorry so many people in the forum decided to make light of your situation - i'm sure they would feel differently if they found themselves in the same predicament.
Hope this helps
|
|
Eh? Wrong thread eprhaps?
|
|
My friend's wife has MS. She can move nowhere on her own. He gave up "work" several years ago to care for her. They are a lovely happy couple who never complain about their situation, they just get on with life and make the best of their situation. They are not "well off". They have a motability vehicle which is their lifeline for any social life, trips out etc. If they can have a little bit of jam on their bread in the form of free parking then good luck to them.
|
|
well jez, I have paid more taxes than you have had hot dinners!! I am 75 and my wife 73 and both have blue badges. You ought to be more careful when making remarks like that as next year you could be struck down with an illness without any warning.Up to 3 years ago we were a perfectly normal couple then my wife became wheelchair bound after an operation and a year later I suffered a pulmanory disease that means I walk with difficulty.Wouldnt dream of applying for a Motobility vehicle as I come from the generation that does not call a doctor unless fro your death bed! We both would rather have our health than a measly badge. Believe we should pay car park charges anyway. We are planning our old age very carefully- she is buying me a photograph with "YOUR WIFE" printed on it an d I will present her with an ear trumpet so that she can hear my mumblings!! No offence intended to anyone.ps also had a minor heart attack but thats life.
SQ
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 21/09/2008 at 20:14
|
I am not saying there are no deserving disabled people, of course there are.
But Motability is the biggest fleet company in the country with over 500 000 cars. Can that be right? The tax payer is subsidizing all of these cars. Do you know that you can now get Lexus on Motability!! Is that fair on the taxpayer? I know someone who has a 4x4 on motability, when he bought it he had a towing hook fitted to tow his boat. He is fitter than me and had a lot more leasure time and can park where he wants without paying!
Sort out the 90% of so called disabled who should be trying to find work and paying their own way and perhaps give abit more to the ones that genuinely derserve it. Do disabled really need to drive a Lexus, where does it stop.
|
Do disabled really need to drive a Lexus where does it stop.
It might be some compensation for having a gammy leg or dicky heart to drive a decent motor instead of a heap of garbage.
I must say I find it hard to believe that our government gives free Lexuses to the disabled though. If it does I may consider shooting one of my toes off.
|
Haha, better start cleaning your gun. I just copied the text below right off the Motability website. What is wrong with a Mondeo for these people?
You wont have to shoot a toe off though Lud, just go to docs and complain of bad back and say you cant walk more than 10 yards without pain and your sorted. The guy I know with the 4x4 and boat hasnt worked for three or four years, cant walk anywhere without great pain but can jump off his boat and moor it up without a problem. Absolutely makes me sick, dont know why Im working 6 full days a week, 18 hours a day for myself, worrying whether suppliers will get paid and having very little time for liesure whilst these scroungers drive about in luxury paid for ny ME!!
Copied from Motability website.
"Motability welcomes Lexus Motability, the leading car scheme for disabled people, welcomes Lexus to the Car Scheme for the first time. This announcement takes the total number of manufacturers available on the Scheme to 38 with recent additions including Audi and Alfa Romeo.
The popular IS model range will be offered initially on the Scheme from 1 April 2008, with a number of different derivatives on offer providing motorists with a choice of engine sizes and trim levels. All the cars are four door saloons and both manual and automatic options are available. "
|
|
Dont forget Motability also includes insurance, tax and servicing too.
|
|
The Motability scheme allows people to use their DLA higher rate allowance towards a vehicle of their choice, plus a lump sum for vehicles outside the allowance range. If they have sufficient capital to pay the substantial additional advance payment towards a Lexus why not? You don't have to be stuck with a 3 wheeler if you have a disability......
|
I can't believe how the attitudes of some people are ! Motability is simply a government sponsored leasing scheme, where Disability Living Allowances go towards the leasing of the car - the preferential rates are acquired simply because its a huge business. Listening to a recent radio programme I understand that its probably self financing anyway. As regards the poster moaning about the boat user - report him if you feel he's defrauding the system.
It was pretty well put by a disabled athlete during the paralympics - being interviewed about prospects for 2012 I remember she said that here were ablebodied people walking around now that could well qualify for the next Paralympics but have yet to qualify in one important aspect - they're not disabled yet.
There will be hundreds of disabled ex-servicemen with us for years to come with an enduring legacy of the wars being fought currently - I hope none of those read your whining posts !
Ask not for whom the bell tolls etc.
Next moan will probably be that the NHS issues free wheelchairs and crutches"and I bloomin well pay for it !"
Edited by Pugugly on 21/09/2008 at 19:04
|
Ye Gods!! (as my Dad would have said).
We seem to be tarring all the disabled with the same brush - the good 'uns (very deserving) are being tarred with the same brush as the (few) bad 'uns (supposedly undeserving). The only disabled people I am close to both have have MS.
I mentioned my mate above - he has a 4x4 - An "old style" CRV, mainly because it enables him to load his wheelchair and get in and out "easily". He can't get out of a saloon without assistance, I know 'cos I have given him lifts.
The other is my aunt - she is now 86 as is her husband. Since the early 1970s he has done everything because she is confined to a wheelchair. He gets her out of bed, carries her to the loo, lifts her in and out of the bath, into and out of his very ancient Mk 1 Golf estate, does all the cooking, cleaning etc - absolutely everything and has done for over 30 years.
You object to him getting free parking? - OK, I'll tell you what.
You take his life for one week and still object to his occasional free parking and I will pay your parking for a year - or maybe 10 years or maybe even 30 years.
Go pick on some other "wastes of money" like the billions we pay towards useless consultants, or the bonuses we end up paying to management who let Northern Cockup, Lehmans etc go bankrupt for less than the cost of their bonuses the previous year or perhaps the people who run Stagecoach or Virgin who we pay billions to for running loss making bus/train services. I could go on but Private Eye does a better job.
Leave the disabled alone - the vast majority are genuine deserving cases, a few are con men and women - they are, in a very smalll proportion , everywhere.
Phil
|
Sorry PU - sentiments expressed by you same as mine - I'm just a slow typer and you put it so much more succinctly!!
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls etc."
My favourite poem/poet - John Donne - should be read and understood by everybody!!
Phil
Edited by PhilW on 21/09/2008 at 19:21
|
|
And while I am at it - what about all the disabled people who claim nothing or little of what they're entitled to and the relatives that do the caring (sometimes young kids) for nothing saving this country billions of taxpayers pounds every year.
|
I suspect Jez will be horrified at what I am about to reveal - Carers over 16/under 65 can claim £50.55 a week allowance which is taxable, regardless of how many people they care for.
For that they are expected to 'care' for a minimum of 35 hours a week - including nights. That is a maximum of £1.44 an hour - 30p an hour if you are the only carer for one person. Halve that per hour for 2 and so on.
|
just to put some figures to this to try and show then moaning minnies that the scheme is not quite the free ride they think it is:
on the motabillity scheme the lexus IS 220d diesel manual has an advanced payment of £4848 this has to paid in one installment to the dealer when picking up the car no finance no installments just one payment.
it is a total allowance car which means the person full mobility section of their DLA goes straight to motability (£190 a month)
so over the 3 years they pay £4848+6306 = £11,154 out of their own pocket they then have to return the car to motabillity who sell it second hand and this is how the scheme is financed, as the disabled person cannot under any curcumstances keep the car more then 3 years the motabillity people pay the full value of the car when its taken by the disabled person and then take a certain amount off the disabled person over the 3 years they have the car and then sell it after its return normally at a small profit(according to 2nd hand prices at the mo thats around £15,000)......so thats £11,154 plus 15,000 for a second hand 3 yr old IS 220 giving a grand total of £25,154 for a £23,000 car.........so please show me where thats any buisness of the abled bodied taxpayer that usually are the ones that take the hump at the motabillity scheme
|
Welshlad, I presume it is still the case that if the allowance is raised because of high petrol prices then that goes towards the car too. This happened while we had a Motability car - so unlike a normal contract where you agree to pay a set amount a month for three years, with Motability any increase given is taken. Hope that makes sense.
Again, I know the allowances have changed, but you are limited as to the mileage you can do without penalty. Over the basic mileage you pay per mile, in increasing amounts (12,000 p.a. at that time). So if you have to do almost daily round trips to a 'centre of excellence' hospital, 20 or more miles away from your home, then you will be paying for the petrol, the parking and a 'fine' to Motability.
Ain't life grand?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
