Investigation shows big differences in blue-badge approvals in Essex
A charity has said there is a "shocking disparity" between approval rates
More people who have a physical disability in Essex are being given approval for blue badge parking permits than those with non-visible disabilities.
That is according to an investigation by the BBC Shared Data Unit and Local Democracy Reporting Service, which has found what a charity calls a "shocking disparity" between the approval rates of people with non-visible disabilities and those of people with physical disabilities.
In Essex, under half of applications under non-visible disabilities criteria, such as autism, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and anxiety, were approved since 30 August, 2019.
There is also nearly a 20 per cent difference between people with physical impairments and those with non-visible disabilities getting blue badge parking permits in the county.
The county council received 2,347 applications under non-visible disabilities criteria since 30 August, 2019, but only 1,134 were approved.
Of the applications, 843 were directly refused and 287 were refused because of incomplete requests.
The blue badge parking permit scheme was extended a year ago to include people with non-visible disabilities.
But, the investigation found scores of local authorities had lower approval rates for blue badge parking permits from non-visible disabilities applicants.
For ten councils the difference was so stark, it was more than 50 percentage points between the two types of application.
The Department for Transport (DfT) told us it would review the impact of the new criteria.
While the new criteria were only introduced in England, applications for people with cognitive impairments were already considered in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our analysis of the 109 councils who gave full responses found:
Ninety-two councils had higher approval rates for physical impairments applications
For 36 of those councils, the approval rate was over 33 percentage points higher for physical impairments applications
For ten councils, the difference was greater than 50 percentage points
Some 28,132 blue badges were issued to people with non-visible disabilities in England in the first 12 months.
James Taylor, executive director strategy impact and social change at disability equality charity Scope, said:
"This new data shows a shocking disparity between the allocations of Blue Badges to people with invisible and visible impairments.
"Our helpline has also heard from disabled people with hidden impairments being denied a blue badge, for 'not qualifying'.
"This research highlights the urgent need for staff training of the decision makers in the councils, so they can recognize and understand the range of hidden impairment.
"Councils need also to understand the devastating impact their negative decision can have."
Councillor David Renard, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, which represents councils' interests, said:
"Councils want to make sure that local services and communities are as accessible as possible and they work closely with health professionals to ensure fair and robust criteria are used in the allocation of blue badges to local residents, including those with non-visible disabilities.
"Councils also have to try and strike a balance when making changes to their communities and places to ensure there are parking spaces available for everyone at all times of the day and we can keep traffic moving.
"With 10 million more cars on the road in the last 20 years, an increase of a third, this has become increasingly challenging for them."