House of Commons
Parliament

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Conservative MP Simon Hoare begins international development questions, inquiring about the humanitarian assistance provided by the UK for people in Syria.

Minister Alistair Burt says the UK is at the forefront of the humanitarian response and has been since the conflict began. So far, the government committed £2.7bn to aid.

He says the focus in terms of delivering humanitarian aid will not be changed as a result of US withdrawal of troops in Syria.

"We're all extremely concerned about the potential implications of US withdrawal," he adds.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Charlie Elphicke continues to question what information has been provided to the committee.

Neil Johnson, Chair of Motability Operations, says that in 2008, the car industry was worried, and the Board were very concerned that they may lose senior figures to another leasing company which was struggling and had "seen the turnaround" which had taken place at Motability.

"Everything was in there, nothing was concealed," he adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

A busy day for MPs kicks off shortly at 11.30am with international development questions, before PMQs at midday.

After that, Tory MP Leo Docherty tables his ten minute rule bill on an exemption for the armed forces from the ECHR in combat operations.

Focus will then turn to Brexit debate ahead of the meaningful vote on the EU withdrawal agreement, with the timetabling motion the first aspect to be considered.

Tory backbencher Dominic Grieve has tabled an amendment to the motion - which would fast track the government's response if the deal is defeated and open up discussion on alternatives.

It's been accepted by the Speaker, although the consequences of this remain to be seen.

Following the timetabling motion, the actual debate on the Brexit deal will begin, with Labour MP Luke Pollard's adjournment debate on basing arrangements for the Royal Marines wrapping up the day.

Before the Commons debate even restarts, there could be another vote to force the PM's hand.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Chair of the Treasury Committee, Nicky Morgan asks the panel, who are now senior figures from the Motability Operations group, how this "unplanned profit" could have arisen.

Mike Betts, Chief Executive of Motability Operations, says "it is a big number," and he adds that leases are observed throughout the duration of the contract, and 97% of leasers receive "good condition bonuses" at the end of the contract.

"We absolutely would not say that customers have been overcharged," he adds.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Frank Field issues thanks to the charity for what they have done over the past 40 years.

Lord Sterling says that the charity found the NAO "totally professional" and have "learned" from the experience.

With that, the committee session moves to their next witness.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Nicky Morgan says that in 2012 and 2016 Lord Sterling sent a letter over concerns in pay at Motability Operations. She says that the letters raised concerns over remuneration, but he still did not send in an independent observer to the company to follow up on concerns.

"With hindsight maybe one should have made sure someone did attend it," Lord Plaistow replies.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Frank Field asks if it is right that the charity is essentially making a profit from benefits which are given to people for their mobility allowances.

Paul Atkinson says that the charity is coming up with options on what to do with the £400m, including for existing customers and those who currently can't be helped.

"Nobody questions the great work that you do," Labour's Catherine McKinnell adds, "but it doesn't change that issue of where that money is coming from."

Frank Field jumps in to say this is "taxpayers' money".

Lord Sterling says that the charity receives "no public support". For 40 years the charity has been "transforming people's lives" he states.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Frank Field asks when the money will be spent, or if it will sit in reserves.

Paul Atkinson says that the charity now has a "series of highly desirable options" on what can be done with the money.

Labour's John Mann asks how many people "want and require an adapted car" and haven't got one "because you haven't got enough money".

Paul Atkinson confirms that there are cases where Motability does not provide cars due to cost.

There's an amendment on today's order paper which seeks to change the Business of the House motion put forward by the government, which regulates the next few days' debate on the prime minister's proposed Brexit deal.

But many of those interested in parliamentary procedure are puzzled, because it appeared that the government's programme motion wasn't amendable.

Take a look at what the former director of legislative affairs at No 10 says:

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Derek Thomas asks for assurances that the £400m donations to the Motability charity are going to be used efficiently.

Lord Sterling says that "everything" that the charity has done over the past 40 years "has been to provide mobility".

He adds that this "windfall" was something that the leaders were "rather excited" by.

"In the very early days" the charity could never take out cars for the "severely disabled" as the cost of conversion was too high. He adds that the charity has adapted 50,000 vehicles in the past 10 years, and some cars have adaptation costs as high as £50,000.

The charity has spent £200m on adapting cars, and wants to do more for the severely disabled, he states.

Paul Atkinson, director of the Motability Charity, says that the charity makes £23m in donations every year to those who cannot afford to receive cars which are heavily adapted for wheelchair users.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Frank Field, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, asks why when the committee has asked for a copy of the corporate governance report, they have only been sent a summary.

Lord Sterling of Plaistow, the Chair of the Motability Charity says that the charity has accepted the recommendations of the report.

He adds that two parts of the report have been redacted as they are "commercially sensitive".

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Heidi Allen asks if Motability might operate better if it were no longer a monopoly.

Sir Amyas Morse says that due to the tax incentives given to the scheme, most people would never refuse the 40% discount which can be offered on Motability cars.

Ms Allen asks if there is a "sweet spot" on how many operators should be offering these kinds of cars in the market.

Sir Amyas says that there is no modelling on this currently, but he adds, smiling, "it is nice to have a problem based on success".

He states that there needs to be a "much more muscular governance model," and that the scheme shouldn't be dissolved as it's "unique" within government. He adds that the government should be more involved in how the charity is operating.

With that, the committee moves to the next witnesses.

Select Committee
Parliament

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"Government needs to decide how to take this forward," Sir Amyas Morse says, replying to a question from Labour's Ruth George on the cost of Motability to those on the scheme.

He adds that either the cost of the scheme can be reduced due to the charity's cash reserves, or the benefits of the scheme "could be spread further".

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke asks about the pay structure at Motability.

Sir Amyas Morse says that the chief executive of Motability is paid more than the chief executive of Network Rail.

Mr Elphicke describes this as "extraordinary" and there are similar reactions from around the committee.

Sir Amyas warns that the bonuses scheme within the charity were awarded at around 90%, meaning that bonuses were being awarded as a normal part of employment, rather than as a "reward".

Select Committee
Parliament

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Chair of the Treasury Committee, Nicky Morgan, asks what the donation was between Motability Operations, which collects payments on car leases, and Motability the charity. The donation was £400m.

Labour's Catherine McKinnell says that this is a donation that is 14 times its annual spend on operations.

Louise Bladen of the National Audit Office says that Motability appears to have a "surplus fund of money" especially as the NAO "haven't seen plans" on how the charity would use that money.