MP Urges Government to Protect Blue Badge Parking Permit

15.11.05

The Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Edward Davey, today welcomed Government’s decision to review the Blue Badge Scheme so as to better protect Blue Badge holders from theft and fraudulent use, but warned that greater measures than debate will be required to solve the problem.  Edward has been writing to Ministers, after taking up local cases of blue badges being stolen or misused.

The Blue Badge Scheme, which provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers, has lately been a common target of thieves who steal the Blue Badges and fraudulently use them for their own personal benefit. 

The Government insists that the Department of Transportation and the Home Office are working together to possibly reform the system by debating possible measures including power for parking enforcement officers to inspect badges and the introduction of a national database of badge holders to better preserve the integrity of the Blue Badge Scheme. 

Edward Davey said,

“The blue badge now is too easily stolen and misused – this hurts the disabled and every other car driver.

“I am encouraged that the Government has begun to debate the issue of Blue Badge theft and fraudulent use.  However, this debate cannot turn into another one of Government’s half measures.

“The new protections and enforcement process being considered is important, but we need action. “