Benefits claimants have been handed free electric-vehicle chargers under the taxpayer-subsidised Motability car scheme.
The charity, which provides vehicles to those with physical disabilities in exchange for a cut in their benefits, has given more than 66,000 free charging points at the homes of those on state disability support, The Daily Telegraph reported.
An EV home charge point – which is typically thought to cost between £800 and £1,500 – can boost a property's value by as much as £5,000, according to the National Association of Home Buyers.
The latest revelation comes just days after the Mail revealed how the controversial scheme had dished out more than £500,000 of taxpayers' money to encourage benefits claimants to buy new cars.
Motability has spent £540.9million in 'new vehicle payments' to 748,000 people since 2022.
The initiative – which began in 2022 and ended this January – helped to boost Motability's customer base by 170,000 last year to a record 815,000. About a fifth of all new cars in the UK bought through it.
The free home charge points are said to have been funded by a £265.5million cash pot allocated by Motability to help ministers' Net Zero goals three years ago.
The money was also used to subsidise the price of new electric vehicles.
Benefits claimants have been handed free electric-vehicle chargers under the taxpayer-subsidised Motability car scheme (stock)
An EV home charge point – which is typically thought to cost between £800 and £1,500 – can boost a property's value by as much as £5,000, according to the National Association of Home Buyers (stock)
A Motability spokesman insisted that the funds for the home chargers came from higher-than-expected profits made by selling second-hand cars rather than from disability benefits.
Motability said it ended the offer of free chargers last October and that customers who want them will have to fund them from their benefits or pay in advance.
Founded as a charity in 1977, Motability was set up to help those with physical disabilities get around or provide adapted vehicles for those who can't drive standard models.
But it has emerged that record numbers of claimants are using the scheme while claiming benefits for conditions such as ADHD, depression and even obesity.
Campaigners have urged the Government to crack down on the scheme to end spiralling costs, as concerns grow that the scheme is being abused.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said taxpayers were being 'ripped off' by the scheme, which has been 'hijacked and is being used and abused by a whole load of freeloaders'.
Campaigners have urged the Government to crack down on the Motability scheme to end spiralling costs, as concerns grow that the scheme is being abused (file image of people queuing for a post office)
He added: 'Bluntly, if you've got a mental health issue or ADHD for one of your children, you don't need a free car from the taxpayer.'
A study by the TaxPayers' Alliance revealed that the number of people eligible for enhanced disability benefits – and a Motability vehicle – has rocketed by 439 per cent since 2016.
William Yarwood, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are being taken for a ride by the Motability scheme. Not only can you get a subsidised top-of-the-line electric car with VAT and insurance exemptions, but now the state is bribing benefits claimants to get on the scheme.
'Ministers need to take a hard look at Motability and crack down before costs accelerate.'
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