Blue Badge Scheme
Question
Neil O'Brien
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local authorities on whether the current organisational Blue Badge guidance adequately enables community transport providers to apply successfully.
Answer
Simon LightwoodThe Department regularly engages with local authorities on a range of Blue Badge issues, including the local authority guidance. It is generally preferable for disabled individuals to hold their own Blue Badge, enabling them to use it in any vehicle they travel in, including community transport vehicles.
An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge as specified in Section 4(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000.
Local authorities must be able to ascertain that the organisation both cares for and regularly transports individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge, and that there is a clear operational need for an organisational badge rather than simply using an individual’s Blue Badge.