Today [6 October 2025] speaking at Conservative Party Conference
in Manchester, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, MP, set out a bold,
compassionate vision for Britain's welfare system — one rooted in
fairness, dignity, and opportunity.
In her speech, Whately announced that the next Conservative
Government will take decisive action to help people break free
from long-term welfare dependency and build lives of independence
and self-respect. The reforms will ensure that support is
properly directed to those who genuinely need it — while helping
others take back control of their own futures through work,
training, and personal ambition.
She said the aim is not simply to reduce costs, but to restore
the moral purpose of welfare: a system that protects the
vulnerable but also believes in the potential of every person to
contribute, to provide for their families, and to play a
meaningful part in their communities.
A central part of this reform agenda is a package of changes to
the Motability scheme, which, while vital for many, has grown
unsustainably in recent years. The VAT relief bill alone has
risen by 42% in just three years — from £850 million in 2020/21
to £1.21 billion in 2023/24.
Under the Conservative plan, eligibility will be refocused so
that support goes to people with serious, long-term disabilities
who truly rely on it, while those with minor or short-term
conditions will be guided toward recovery and independence. At
the same time, a cap on VAT exemptions will ensure the system
remains fair — ending the small number of cases where
taxpayer-funded vehicles have been unnecessarily used to purchase
luxury or top-of-the-range cars.
These changes form part of a wider overhaul of sickness and
disability benefits designed to protect those in genuine need,
while rebuilding public trust in a system that is fair and
affordable.
Whately said the Conservative welfare plan is not about
punishment, but about principle: the belief that work is good for
wellbeing, that independence brings dignity, and that every
person deserves the chance to fulfil their potential.
MP, Shadow Work and Pensions
Secretary, said:
“We need a government with the courage to do what's right, not
just what sounds nice.
“That leaves us as the only party who can fix welfare. That's why
I've got my common-sense plan for savings - fix the 'sick note'
system, bring back face-to-face assessments end
sickness benefits for low level mental health problems and
stop the abuse of Motability.”
