Labour MP Cat Smith said ‘Across the country we have a postcode lottery on access to blue badges’ (Image: Parliament TV)
An update has been given in the Commons over potential changes to Blue Badge eligibility – after questions were raised about people being turned down for the assistance. A Blue Badge provides key parking, travel, and access concessions across the UK.
People qualify for a UK Blue Badge either automatically through specific benefits or subject to an assessment by their local council if you have severe walking or non-visible hidden disabilities.
There were 3.07 million valid Blue Badges held in England as of 31 March 2025, according to the Department for Transport Blue Badge Scheme Statistics.
Blue Badges are issued according to need of the applicant and are not related to any specific condition, the Department for Transport said. In the Commons officials were told there is a ‘postcode lottery’ for people depending on where they live.
Labour MP Cat Smith said: “Across the country we have a postcode lottery on access to blue badges for people who are suffering from Parkinson’s. May we have a debate in Government time about this postcode lottery, because access to blue badges is a real enabler for people with disabilities to get out and go to work, education, appointments and so on?”
The Leader of the House of Commons Sir Alan Campbell replied: ”My hon. Friend raises important concerns. I understand that she successfully lobbied her local council not to go ahead with a proposal to scrap free blue badge parking in council car parks. If that is the case, I pay tribute to her and local campaigners for their hard work. Regarding her concerns about people with Parkinson’s having issues accessing blue badges, I will ensure she gets a response from the relevant Minister to address her points directly.”
Labour’s Mark Sewards highlighted another issue: “I represent a 15-year-old constituent with a serious heart condition that he is awaiting surgery for. He has been told not to overexert himself, because even walking puts his health at risk. Sadly, his family’s appeal for a blue badge has been turned down because they cannot demonstrate that he will have the problem in three years, post-surgery. Certain individuals on qualifying benefits can get a short-term blue badge, but my constituent does not qualify, despite his health condition. Will the Leader of the House grant a debate in Government time on the need to change the scheme, so that we can help people, especially children, avoid this needless trap?”
Sir Alan replied: “I will ensure that he gets a response from the relevant Minister. If that is not a sufficiently appropriate response to his concerns, then I encourage him to seek an Adjournment debate so that he can make his case more strongly.”
Upon issue, a Blue Badge is valid for a period of up to 3 years. In August 2019, Blue Badge scheme eligibility criteria were extended to include more people with non-visible and neurological disabilities that may affect their ability to access goods and services.
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On 31 March 2025, 5.2% of the population in England held a valid Blue Badge. The region with the most Blue Badge holders as a proportion of their population was the North East (6.1%). The region with the lowest proportion was London (3.5%).
Earlier this year Councils have been urged to crack down on misuse of blue badge parking permits as the proportion of people holding them has reached a record one in 20. The AA called for more to be done to detect offences such as using fake or stolen blue badges.
In 2019, the eligibility criteria for blue badges was extended beyond people with visible disabilities, to include those with non-visible conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia and epilepsy.
More than two-fifths of the badges issued in 2024/25 were awarded without further assessment. Depending on the location, they often enable holders to park free of charge in pay-and-display bays and for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines.
In London, they exempt holders from having to pay the congestion charge, which costs £18 per day. AA president Edmund King said at the time: “The blue badge scheme is a mobility lifeline for millions of legitimate users and their families.
“Our concern is not the absolute number of badges issued but the estimates that up to one in five badges may be used by someone other than the holder or authorised user. Fraud is an issue which can include family misuse, use after death, counterfeit badges and theft and resale of badges.
“We would welcome a crackdown on illegitimate use of badges to safeguard the deserving users.”
A DfT spokesperson said: “Exploitation and abuse of the blue badge scheme is completely unacceptable and is a criminal offence. Local authorities have been given improved powers to crack down on fraud and misuse in their area, and work closely with the police.”
