Announced today by Transport Minister Paul Clark was a radical overhaul of the Blue Badge scheme. Up to £55 million will be devoted to ensuring that the disabled parking scheme meets the needs of the 21st century.

The scheme provides parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems.

The government is aiming to give councils the authority to confiscate stolen or forged Blue Badges immediately when they find them. This is to assist in reducing Blue Badge associated vehicle crime, as well as safeguarding key parking, close to vital services, for those who need it most. 73% of respondents to the recent Blue Badge consultation highlighted this as key way to fight abuse of the scheme.

The biggest review of the Blue Badge scheme, since it was created in 1971, will also enable more people than ever to retain their independence. The strategy is commited to expand the scheme to seriously disabled Armed Forces personnel and veterans, people with temporary but serious mobility problems, young children with disabilities and people with severe mental impairments.

Currently being developed is a new system of assessing eligibility for the Blue Badge. The new system aims to lighten the workload of GP’s, who in many areas currently carry out the individual assessments, by standardising assessments throughout the country with dedicated independant medical assessors.