The UK government is facing growing questions over why nearly half of all new vehicles registered in Northern Ireland last year were through the Motability Scheme—a programme intended to support disabled individuals in leasing cars using their mobility benefits.

During a recent parliamentary session, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister raised concerns after revealing that approximately 18,000 out of 39,000 newly registered vehicles in the region in the past year were linked to the scheme. He asked whether this unusually high figure might suggest abuse or overuse of the system.

While acknowledging that the vast majority of users are likely genuine claimants, Allister pointed to the discrepancy between this vehicle registration rate and the 2021 Census, which reported that 24.3% of the Northern Ireland population has a long-term health condition or disability. He also highlighted a feature of the scheme that allows up to three named drivers per vehicle—raising questions about whether some cars may be regularly used by individuals who are not the intended beneficiaries.

Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, Stephen Timms, defended the programme. He described the Motability Scheme as a highly valued lifeline for many disabled people across the UK. Timms welcomed any evidence of misuse but stood by the integrity and importance of the scheme, suggesting it enjoys strong cross-party support.

Allister went on to criticise Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities, suggesting that it has shown little urgency in tackling benefit fraud, potentially due to the fact that welfare funding comes directly from the UK Treasury rather than from a locally managed budget.

At the time of writing, the Department for Communities has not publicly responded to the concerns raised.