1 in 20 people have a blue badge?

[Oodlesofnoodlez]

So I’ve just had to battle to get a family member a blue badge, they receive high rate of everything and immobile but still a complete battle.

so I’m thinking ‘ok it must be very very difficult to get therefore hardly any must be issued’…. Nope figures from 22-23 show almost 5% that’s 2.6 million people have a blue badge.

surely these figures cannot be correct?

will it be completely impossible to find disabled spaces now we’ve got the badge?

we are in the SE

My local authority take the view that it is a temporary condition. Broken legs sometimes need operations as well.

Exercise is supposed to be very good for your mental health.
Just saying.

Show me.

To qualify for a Blue Badge, applicants must meet specific criteria that demonstrate a significant impact on their mobility. These criteria include:

• Severe Mobility Issues: The applicant must have severe mobility issues that substantially impair their ability to walk.
• Long-Term Disability: The condition must be long-term, typically lasting for at least 12 months.
• Automatic Qualification: Certain benefits, such as the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), can automatically qualify an individual for a Blue Badge.

Um none of that says if you have a condition that requires hip surgery you don't qualify.

In fact a joint/bone condition severe enough to require hip surgery is both a severe mobility issue and a long-term disability. And those people may also qualify for PIP or other disability benefits.

A friend applied and was turned down.
She would have not got PIP. She could dress, cook and walk short distances

That was your friend. Plenty of other people are impaired enough to qualify.

Ableism isn’t a good look. Just saying.

I used to be a volunteer driver for people (mostly elderly) who couldn’t use public transport, for hospital appts. among other things.
Trying to find even a blue badge space in our local hospital car park often took ages. And I couldn’t drop them and go - they mostly needed at least an assistant arm to walk even a short distance. Never enough BB spaces!

Our GP surgery modern purpose built with an attached surgery and very large car park has two disabled spaces. Even ordinary patients use it

Not everyone entitled to a BB has one - I meet the criteria for my LA to issue one (enough mobility points under PIP). However, DH and I are both unable to drive for medical reasons so there isn't much point me paying for one.

I think about 1 in 7 people of working age have a disability (of course many won't need a BB) so 5% of the population having a BB sounds about right to me.

Although both you and your DH can't drive, it's worth getting a Blue Badge so anytime anyone drives you anywhere, they can use if for your benefit. Also taxi drivers, and in London BB holders don't need to pay congestion charge for a specific vehicle. So whichever of their family or friends regularly take them to medical* appointments, that would be the car to register.

As for fees, it costs only £10 and it's valid for 3 years. I presume you pay another £10 to renew, we haven't got to that stage yet, because I think the charge covers just the actual cost of the laminated BB you get sent.

• Edit - it's not just for medical appointments, it could be shopping, going to the cinema, visiting friends, whatever.