MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales:
As part of the Welsh Government's commitment to enhancing
transport accessibility through our Travel for
All agenda, we are continuously working to ensure that
our transport systems meet the needs of all individuals. Barriers
to transport have significant impacts on people's lives; losing
confidence, their independence and ability to access employment,
education and vital public services. I am pleased to provide an
update on our progress with the Blue Badge Scheme, reflecting our
ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and inclusivity.
In 2019, the Senedd Equality, Local Government, and Communities
Committee undertook an “Inquiry into the Blue Badge Scheme in
Wales: Eligibility and Implementation” in 2019 and made
recommendations on improving the management of the scheme.
One of the key recommendations of the inquiry was for the Welsh
Government to review the eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge
Scheme. In response, we commissioned our Internal Research
Programme to conduct a comprehensive review.
This research sought to:
- understand how robust the Blue Badge Scheme assessment
processes are.
- understand the literature regarding current blue badge
eligibility criteria to allow for future research into the
widening of the criteria.
- explore the factors leading to successful and unsuccessful
blue badge applications.
I am pleased to announce the work is now complete and is
published today, including recommendations, which have all
been accepted by the Welsh
Government. I remain committed to taking the necessary
steps to ensure the continued success of the scheme.
Since the 2019 inquiry, my officials have made significant
strides in improving the operation of the Blue Badge Scheme,
working collaboratively with local authorities and other
stakeholders including Disability Motoring UK and the British
Parking Association.
These improvements include:
- Additional training for all local authority staff on the
eligibility criteria in Wales, together with provision by the
Independent Advisory Service and health care professionals of a
wider range of information to help local authority staff better
understand conditions and symptoms and their impact on mobility.
- A workshop on the social model of disability was delivered to
local authority blue badge staff and stakeholders from the Blue
Badge Workgroup, led by a trainer with lived experience of
impairments who was a blue badge holder.
- Consistency of local authority assessments and sharing of
best practice has been highlighted through meetings, focus groups
and improved assessment tools.
- Enforcement training for all local authorities in Wales to
protect the scheme and help blue badge holders to access
parking.
Work is progressing on encouraging local authorities to follow a
more streamlined process for future re-applications by badge
holders with degenerative conditions. A workgroup with the
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) in June will also
provide opportunity to consider developing good practice with
local authorities on how those needing help and support when
applying are assisted.
I am also committed to convening an expert group that will work
with local authorities and the WLGA to explore how we can better
share data and reduce the burden on badge applicants. The UK
Department of Transport also provides the Blue Badge Digital
System, which is helping streamline the application process and
assisting local authorities in administering the scheme.
The Welsh Government remains fully committed to ensuring that
people with the greatest barriers to mobility can access the
on-street parking concessions that are essential to their social
inclusion and quality of life. Our goal is to make the process of
obtaining a blue badge as efficient, effective, and stress-free
as possible, while maintaining the scheme's integrity and
ensuring it continues to serve its vital purpose.
