Blue Badge application 'change' update as Department for Transport lays out new advice

The Department for Transport has given an update for all Blue Badge holders on issues of 'structural change' to the whole process. The Blue Badge scheme is a national parking concession scheme in the UK that allows people with severe mobility problems to park closer to their destination.

A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, while it's free in Wales. They usually last up to three years, but people must reapply for a Blue Badge before their current one expires.

Serious concerns have been raised at a debate at Westminster Hall with MPs saying urgent changes need to be made for people especially suffering from illnesses such as cancer.

In the debate last week Tory Helen Grant highlighted how people with conditions such as cancer - where they may be terminally ill but need accessibility help quickly - should get a change in the process. She said: "Cancer treatment such as surgery and radio and chemotherapy can have significant side effects, including extreme fatigue, pain, and mobility restrictions.

"Sometimes those impediments might not last for three years, but they can still reduce access to essential services during treatment and recovery. In many situations, the effects of the disease and treatment last longer than three years.

"Indeed, under the Equality Act 2010, the Government rightly recognise cancer as a disability from the point of diagnosis for the remainder of a person's life."

"Blue badge applications take 12 to 15 weeks to be processed, which is far too long in terms of cancer timelines, and rejected applicants cannot reapply for six months. Again, that is incompatible with cancer treatments, where debilitating physical effects can quickly arise."

Ms Greenwood replied giving an update on the possibility for 'structural change' but also agreed that officials would be taking new steps to update advice to councils. She said: "I have to be honest about the kind of structural change that people are calling for today; it would represent a significant departure from the scheme's current purpose.

"That is not to say that it is not a legitimate question to raise, but it would place additional pressure on a system that is already under strain. In response to points raised today, I will ask my officials to review and update our existing advice note to provide clearer, more practical guidance on how local authorities can use those existing powers to support residents facing temporary or fluctuating mobility challenges.

"That would not change the core eligibility criteria for the blue badge, but in the short term, it may help councils to better understand the tools at their disposal."

The Blue Badge scheme designed for both drivers and passengers with disabilities and provides parking benefits, such as free parking in designated bays and on yellow lines for up to three hours, unless a loading ban is in place.

In a new Parliamentary written question, Labour's Anna Gelderd asked Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander "what steps her department is taking to simplify the renewal process for Blue Badge holders." People have complained about having to apply so frequently and how it a traumatic and lengthy process.

However the government has said that it has now created a special guide for people, including a model form to help them through the process. Parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for Transport Lilian Greenwood explained: "Local authorities are responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the Blue Badge scheme. They are responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation.

"Whilst it remains a matter for each individual local authority to decide on and to produce application form(s) for their area, to assist local authorities in deciding whether an applicant meets the eligibility criteria, theDfThas produced a model application form with accompanying guidance notes for applicants on how to complete the form.

"TheDepartmentalso recommends that authorities provide the guidance notes as a separate document to the application form so that they can be retained by the applicant for future reference after their application has been submitted.

"In addition, the Department works closely with its Blue Badge Digital Service supplier to identify possible improvements to the online application and renewal process as part of its continuous improvement programme."