Up to half of all disabled parking badges in London are being used illegally, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Up to half of all disabled parking badges in London are being used illegally, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
It is estimated that badges are now changing hands on the black market for up to £500.
It is estimated that badges are now changing hands on the black market for up to £500.
A recent crackdown by spending watchdog the Audit Commission led to nearly 5,500 badges being cancelled in Manchester, Merseyside and London.
A recent crackdown by spending watchdog the Audit Commission led to nearly 5,500 badges being cancelled in Manchester, Merseyside and London.
The badges allow free and unlimited parking in pay and display bays.
The badges allow free and unlimited parking in pay and display bays.
They also allow parking for up to three hours on yellow lines and, in London, holders are exempt from the congestion charge.
They also allow parking for up to three hours on yellow lines and, in London, holders are exempt from the congestion charge.
The badge does not carry a photograph or car registration number, so they can easily be transferred between vehicles and drivers.
The badge does not carry a photograph or car registration number, so they can easily be transferred between vehicles and drivers.
Undercover
Undercover
In May the Audit Commission revealed nearly 5,500 blue badges in London, Merseyside and Manchester were cancelled after it was discovered they were being used after the holder had died.
In May the Audit Commission revealed nearly 5,500 blue badges in London, Merseyside and Manchester were cancelled after it was discovered they were being used after the holder had died.
Its report also found that a number of blue badges had been reissued in London after the people entitled to them had died.
Its report also found that a number of blue badges had been reissued in London after the people entitled to them had died.
They included four badges in Wandsworth, which had been used 347 times to avoid paying the congestion charge, ten in Barnet, used 80 times, and two in Camden, used 227 times.
They included four badges in Wandsworth, which had been used 347 times to avoid paying the congestion charge, ten in Barnet, used 80 times, and two in Camden, used 227 times.
Charges were brought against a solicitor, a bank employee and a care home manager.
Charges were brought against a solicitor, a bank employee and a care home manager.
According to the Audit Commission badges are now changing hands for around £500 on the back market and the LGA says it believes up to half of the badges in London are being used illegally.
According to the Audit Commission badges are now changing hands for around £500 on the back market and the LGA says it believes up to half of the badges in London are being used illegally.
The abuse is widespread in many UK cities and Manchester City Council is so concerned it is now using undercover surveillance to catch badge-abusers.
The abuse is widespread in many UK cities and Manchester City Council is so concerned it is now using undercover surveillance to catch badge-abusers.
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