What engagement has the Welsh Government had with disability rights organisations, parents, and young people themselves regarding reform of the blue badge scheme to better reflect the realities of permanent disability?
Blue badges are valid for three years or the length of the award of benefit if less than three years and twelve months for a temporary badge unless it is a child under the age of three where it may be awarded until they reach their third birthday. These lengths of award are set out in legislation and three years is common across the UK.
Applicants who will permanently meet the eligibility criteria can be awarded a badge on a ‘not for reassessment’ basis, which means that when re-applying in three years’ time they will not need to provide any additional evidence from healthcare professionals to support their application, only proof of identity, residency and a photograph. We regard these as reasonable and proportionate requirements to protect the integrity and robustness of the Blue Badge scheme.
Local authorities are legally responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the scheme in Wales. They determine the eligibility of applications and are responsible for implementing administrative, assessment and enforcement procedures in accordance with the governing legislation.
In assessment it is important that up to date supporting information is provided from health care professionals involved with any applicant’s care. Mobility may change through intervention and therapies and therefore it is important any applicant regardless of age provides as much supporting evidence as they can.
Our goal remains to make the process of obtaining a badge as fair and efficient as possible. Following engagement with parents of disabled children and young people the Welsh Government will continue working in partnership with local authorities and the WLGA to explore all options to better share data and reduce the burden facing people with a real need for accessible parking which a blue badge brings. This will include good practice on what information and help local authorities should provide to applicants who are unable to apply digitally and by removing any duplication of information where appropriate.
All disabled people must apply under the Blue Badge Scheme for a blue badge under UK and Welsh legislation. Welsh Government continues to work with local authorities and stakeholders to make the application process as efficient and effective as possibly, whilst considering applicants’ experiences and ensuring that the scheme remains robust.
Previous engagement has been made when the scheme was previously reformed and when legislation was changed. Welsh Government have met with parents of children with impairments from Stand North Org and given opportunity for them to share their lived experiences. Welsh Government are providing two training sessions with local authorities this month which includes a stakeholder and parents sharing their lived experiences directly with local authorities. We will continue to engage with stakeholders where appropriate to do so including Disability Motoring UK, Tenovus and those that wish to be involved when any changes are being made to the blue badge scheme.
Our approach to Blue Badges in Wales is consistent with the rest of the UK, as the Blue Badge scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for disabled people and operates throughout the UK. This means that some individuals may have to start the process again within three years when they need to re-apply. Eligibility is not based on medical conditions but on physical and, or cognitive impairments which significantly affect someone’s mobility. We are currently collaborating with the local authorities to encourage them to streamline applications ’Not for Reassessment’ when local authorities are satisfied, that applicants will permanently meet the eligibility criteria. Those where their condition is permanent, enduring and degenerative/ deteriorating significantly affecting their physical and or cognitive mobility may be streamlined.
Local authorities administer the scheme and therefore, it would not be appropriate for Welsh Government or Ministers to get involved with individual applications or where applicants are unhappy with a local authority’s decision.