Pressure is mounting on the government to reform the Blue Badge parking scheme, as MPs call for changes to help people with temporary or fluctuating health conditions.
Parliamentary Pressure for Change
In a series of written Parliamentary questions, MPs from across the political spectrum have challenged the Department for Transport on the current rules. Liberal Democrat Tom Morrison directly asked Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to extend the qualifying criteria to ensure people with Parkinson's disease and other conditions that fluctuate are eligible.
Responding for the government, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood stated that while conditions like Parkinson's do not grant automatic eligibility, applicants may still qualify based on evidence of mobility impact. "The current eligibility criteria are focused on the impact on an applicant's mobility, rather than based on specific disabilities or conditions," he explained. The final decision on all applications rests with local authorities.
The Push for Temporary Permits
Alongside calls for those with fluctuating illnesses, there is a parallel push to help people recovering from surgery or serious illness. Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell questioned whether councils should be given powers to introduce a temporary Blue Badge scheme for such cases.
Minister Lightwood clarified that local authorities already have the power to create their own local parking concessions. Using powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, councils can mark out specific bays, issue local permits, and use Traffic Regulation Orders to reserve spaces. "This can be a voluntary local scheme, and the cost and nature of the concession would be for the local authority to decide," he said.
How the Current Blue Badge System Works
The Blue Badge scheme is designed for people with serious mobility problems. Eligibility is based on being unable to walk significant distances, having an 'invisible' disability that causes distress, being registered blind, or having severe upper limb disabilities preventing the use of parking meters.
Local authorities assess applications by looking at medical evidence, benefit entitlements like PIP or DLA, or specific needs for children. Badges are typically issued for up to three years. If eligibility is linked to a time-limited benefit award, the badge will expire when that benefit ends.
The Department for Transport confirmed it routinely monitors the scheme to see how it may be improved. A spokesperson stated the primary focus remains helping those with enduring and substantial disabilities, but the system is under constant review to ensure it serves those who need it most.
