A father from Mill Hill who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS) has spoken out on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show today about the threat of having his motability car taken away after his disability benefit was downgraded.

John Stillitz, 65, was diagnosed with MS in 2010, after experiencing symptoms over the past 40 years.

He lives with constant and severe pain in his left leg and uses a walking stick and mobility scooter to get around.

Speaking on BBC2’s Victoria Derbyshire show today, John told of how humiliating the reassessment process has been for him: “I understand the need to have a system, but my condition is progressively going to get worse…

"It is frustrating, it’s embarrassing because you're pouring your heart out to some total stranger who comes in and then does not record things accurately.”

John also told the MS Society: “Having access to the motability vehicle has helped me immensely – I use it to get to hospital appointments, continue with my charity work, and basically live a normal life. Without it I would lose my independence.

"Using public transport just isn’t an option, I can’t walk far without pain and I’d need to get a taxi just to get to my nearest bus stop.”

John started receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) shortly after he was diagnosed and the payments helped him with the day-to-day extra costs of living with a disability, as well as allowed him to lease a motability vehicle.

But after an assessment two months ago to move him onto the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is replacing DLA, it was decided he no longer qualifies for the highest rate of mobility support.

This is despite him having a long-term, progressive condition. He’s now been asked to return the motability car.

Mr Stillitz is in the process of appealing the decision: “After speaking with my GP, I feel like I have a strong case.

"Now, more than ever, I really need this support. I’ve worked since I was 18 years old but I had to stop around six months ago because of my health.

"It’s not a case of me not wanting to work; I was desperately upset because I wasn’t ready to retire. But I’ve realised my capabilities are much less now.”

John is one of more than a thousand people living with MS estimated to have been refused the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility component, despite qualifying for it under DLA.

The MS Society published figures in the summer showing that under DLA 93 per cent of people with MS who received the benefit were awarded the higher rate of mobility.

But of 4,358 people who have been moved over to and awarded PIP, only 70 per cent have received the equivalent rate.