Vehicle Excise Duty

HC Deb 04 December 2001 vol 376 c196W

Mr. Boris Johnson

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons(a) a claimant who applies after his 65th birthday is not exempt from vehicle excise duty and (b) a claimant who claims before his 65th birthday continues to receive an exemption afterwards; and if he will make a statement. [18304]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

As a matter of law and policy, entitlement to the VED exemption in respect of disability, is linked to receipt of

1. (a) the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA), or
2. (b) the war pensioners mobility supplement paid under the war disablement pensions scheme, or
3. (c) an invalid tricycle or small car issued by the Department of Health or the Scottish Executive.

The effect of the policy is that a licence is issued without charge, where evidence of receipt of any of the above is produced at vehicle licensing.

The Government have adopted this course because it ensures well defined criteria for entitlement which, in the main targets the exemption on people who become disabled before they reach the age of 65 and, through restricted mobility, may face a lifetime of limited opportunities to work, earn and save compared with their able-bodied counterparts. To introduce different criteria for entitlement VED exemption would be to add further to bureaucracy.