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| Blue badge permits: People with 'hidden disabilities' to be eligible | Blue badge permits: People with 'hidden disabilities' to be eligible |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People with hidden disabilities, such as dementia, may soon by able to access blue badge parking permits in England. | People with hidden disabilities, such as dementia, may soon by able to access blue badge parking permits in England. |
| The scheme is being extended to include drivers and passengers with conditions such as autism or anxiety disorders - although eligibility will be decided by the local council. | The scheme is being extended to include drivers and passengers with conditions such as autism or anxiety disorders - although eligibility will be decided by the local council. |
| Blue badge permits allow people to park for free or without a time-limit in otherwise restricted spaces. | Blue badge permits allow people to park for free or without a time-limit in otherwise restricted spaces. |
| The change will come into force on 30 August, the government said. | The change will come into force on 30 August, the government said. |
| Scotland and Wales have already implemented similar rules to include some mental impairments, but the criteria are yet to be altered in Northern Ireland. | |
| The government said it would provide an extra £1.7m to help councils cope with the expected increase in applications. | The government said it would provide an extra £1.7m to help councils cope with the expected increase in applications. |
| 'Watershed moment' | 'Watershed moment' |
| About 2.35 million people in the UK have blue badge permits because they have physical mobility difficulties or are registered blind. | About 2.35 million people in the UK have blue badge permits because they have physical mobility difficulties or are registered blind. |
| The scheme means people with physical disabilities can park closer to their destination, making everyday tasks easier and reducing loneliness and isolation. | The scheme means people with physical disabilities can park closer to their destination, making everyday tasks easier and reducing loneliness and isolation. |
| Under the new guidance, permits will be extended to those with hidden disabilities, including: | Under the new guidance, permits will be extended to those with hidden disabilities, including: |
| Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he hoped the change would make "a real difference to people's lives". | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he hoped the change would make "a real difference to people's lives". |
| "As a society we don't do enough for people with hidden disabilities," he said. | "As a society we don't do enough for people with hidden disabilities," he said. |
| The government wants to improve public understanding so people whose disabilities are not visible will be able to use the badges without fear of being challenged unfairly. | The government wants to improve public understanding so people whose disabilities are not visible will be able to use the badges without fear of being challenged unfairly. |
| The changes follow an 8-week consultation in 2018 and forms part of the government's drive for greater parity between physical and mental health. | The changes follow an 8-week consultation in 2018 and forms part of the government's drive for greater parity between physical and mental health. |
| Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said the extension of a scheme was a "watershed moment" with would allow people to travel "with greater ease and live more independent lives". | Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said the extension of a scheme was a "watershed moment" with would allow people to travel "with greater ease and live more independent lives". |
| A review will also be launched to look at how councils can tackle fraudulent use of blue badge permits and improve the consistency of council enforcement. | A review will also be launched to look at how councils can tackle fraudulent use of blue badge permits and improve the consistency of council enforcement. |
| More than 4,000 badges were stolen last year and councils prosecuted over 1,200 cases of misuse. | More than 4,000 badges were stolen last year and councils prosecuted over 1,200 cases of misuse. |
| But 60% of councils did not pursue anyone for fraud, research found. | But 60% of councils did not pursue anyone for fraud, research found. |
| The review will also look at improving public awareness about the eligibility rules for badges - when it can and cannot be used - and how to return a badge when it is no longer needed, such as when the holder dies. | The review will also look at improving public awareness about the eligibility rules for badges - when it can and cannot be used - and how to return a badge when it is no longer needed, such as when the holder dies. |
| The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, said the review would help it "crack down on dishonest motorists". | The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, said the review would help it "crack down on dishonest motorists". |