THERE is fresh criticism today of Government reforms to disability benefits after the number of disabled motorists fell by nearly 80,000 in just two years.

Figures show a six per cent fall in the number of disabled people receiving an exemption from vehicle tax since 2015, with 1.267 million people now registered.

Although there is no direct evidence that any one cause is behind the drop, the figures support other statistics that show a fall in numbers of people being assessed as eligible to claim personal independence payments (PIP).

Latest figures from the Motability charity show 59,000 people have lost their eligibility for a specially adapted vehicle since 2013, as people have switched over to PIP from disability living allowance (DLA).

In total, 230,700 people have been awarded less on PIP than they were on DLA, including 149,200 between January and October 2016.

Kirsty Blackman, the SNP’s deputy leader at Westminster, said: “These figures show that without question the most vulnerable people in our society are being asked to pay the price of Tory austerity.

“For far too many people, the PIP application process is stressful, worrying and degrading. People have to fill out immensely complicated forms about all the things they cannot do and have to go through often dehumanising medical appointments. After all of this, they are awarded less than they received before. The UK Government’s policies are directly making life worse for people.”

Phil Reynolds, an adviser at Parkinson’s UK and co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium, added: “What makes the whole situation worse is that we know people are being put through the unnecessary stress of losing vital support, only to be told they can keep their car when they appeal.

“It’s essential the Government concentrates on fixing this broken system so people with long-term conditions like Parkinson’s get the right decision first time, and don’t face losing their cars in the first place.”

Debbie Abrahams, shadow work and pensions secretary, said: “The Government’s flawed PIP assessment process is not fit for purpose... The whole process is not just counter-productive, it is wrong.”

The UK Government said it spends around £50 billion a year supporting people with disabilities and health conditions, more than ever before.

A spokeswoman said: “Under PIP 28 per cent of people are now receiving the highest rate of support compared to 15 per cent under DLA, and there are now more people on the Motability scheme than before PIP was introduced.

“PIP looks at the way an individual’s health condition or disability impacts them on a daily basis and decisions are made following consideration of all the evidence available.”