Hemma Visavadia
Guest Reporter
A Labour MP has called on the Prime Minister to tackle the growing issue of blue badge theft, which has more than quadrupled over the past decade.
Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge, raised the alarming increase in thefts during Prime Minister's Questions.
The disabled MP explained that blue badges are crucial for ensuring disabled people can maintain their independence as well as have access to priority parking spots.
The call for action came as new data revealed the scale of the problem, with theft rates showing a dramatic rise over the last 10 years.
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Sir Keir Starmer responded by confirming the Government is working closely with local authorities to address fraud and misuse of blue badges. Under UK law, it is a criminal offence to misuse the badge, and doing so can lead to a £1,000 fine.
Speaking in the Commons, Conlon shared his personal experience with blue badges, revealing "as a sixth former, I became one of the youngest people in Britain to have a hip replacement, and I relied on a blue badge".
His intervention came during Prime Minister's Questions, a day after International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
"I'm proud to be one of the disabled MPs in this House," Conlon stated.
The MP called on the Prime Minister to support his campaign to tackle blue badge theft, emphasising its importance for millions of disabled people who need to "work, socialise and live an independent life."
Starmer acknowledged the severity of blue badge theft in his response to Conlon's concerns. Stating that “theft of a blue badge is appalling. He emphasised the human impact of these thefts, noting that they deprive people of "their independence and ability to travel with confidence".
The Government said it is actively working to address the issue through collaboration with local authorities which have launches dedicated campaigns to crackdown on misuse.
The Prime Minister committed to arranging a meeting between Conlon and the relevant minister to discuss the matter further.
"Can I thank him for being a powerful voice for some of the most vulnerable in our society?" the Prime Minister added, recognising Conlon's advocacy on the issue.
Blue Badges play a vital role in enabling disabled individuals to access parking facilities closer to their destinations.The permits are essential for disabled individuals to participate fully in society, allowing them to work, socialise, and carry out everyday activities with greater ease.
Without secure access to blue badges, many disabled people face significant barriers to their mobility and independence.
Data from the London Assembly found that 1,230 Blue Badges were stolen in 2014. However, in 2023, a staggering 6,415 were reported stolen - an increase of 421 per cent.
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According to Department for Transport data, there are currently 2.5 million Blue Badge holders in the UK, up from 2.4 million in 2022.
Andy Syrett, UK managing director of YourParkingSpace criticised the number of drivers who abused disabled parking bays.
He said: “As someone who has a daughter that relies on a disabled badge, it is very disappointing when you can’t get a space because someone is abusing it, and it makes it extremely difficult to do daily activities. It is shocking to see that so many people have been spotted parking in a disabled space when they shouldn’t, and it is understandable that UK motorists are calling for harsher punishments.”
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