'I'm petrified': Single mum of 2 fears she'll lose disabled daughter's transport after Budget announcement

Raegan Furness, 38, is a full-time carer to Amelia-Star, 13, who has ADHD, and Kacie-Rae, nine, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. The single mum claims universal credit as well as disability living allowance (DLA) for both children.

Disabled people who have a car through the Motability scheme will no longer be allowed "premium" vehicles such as BMWs and Mercedes, with immediate effect. Critics had called for changes to the scheme which allows eligible disabled people to lease adaptable cars.

The mum, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, said she feels "really frightened" that her large Ford transit van, which she needs to carry Kacie-Rae and all of her equipment to hospital appointments, may be classed as 'luxury'.

If that's the case, she'd be at risk of losing it after the announced Motability reform announced by Reeves. But even if she can keep the van, she fears she may struggle to fuel it due to the announced staged increases in fuel duty from next year.

Raegan feels "really frightened" after the budget announcement, and claims the government are "going after the most vulnerable". She said: "We'll be taxed on how far we drive - but what if I have to drive 30 miles to hospital and then 30 back? It already costs over £100 to fill up the diesel - and it drinks it."

She said money is extremely tight already and she often struggles to pay her bills, without further hikes. But Raegan feels no relief from the announced £150 cut to energy bills. Raegan fears she won't be able to put her heating on over Christmas as she is already in debt to her supplier.

She said: "Kacie-Rae cannot regulate her body temperature, and she has to be kept warm. I'm frightened if I don't pay my bills the providers will cut me off. If they do that, I can't power her hoist, or her suction machine to stop her choking. It's very concerning, and I don't feel safe."

But despite the news, Raegan "doesn't believe it will happen" - because they "said they'd bring [household bills] down last year and they didn't". She said: "They could change their minds. I don't believe it and I don't trust them.

"The people I speak to who are part of disability support groups, they're all very concerned. I do agree with taxing the wealthy because it's ridiculous how these companies and super billionaires are getting away with everything. But I'm not happy at all. They're so out of touch, and there is no awareness of regular people in society.

“To be honest, I'm petrified."