Latest news with #BlueBadges
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
New UK Government update to help millions of people with a Blue Badge
The UK Government recently confirmed that 90 per cent of all Blue Badge applications are being made through its online service, which process first-time and renewals for people living in Scotland, England and Wales. Using the online application service could also help all 2.8 million users when the time comes to renew their parking permit. For users of the scheme due to renew this year they may not be aware that the processing time can take up to 12 weeks to complete - it's usually much quicker. However, the UK Government is now issuing emails to Blue Badge holders,who previously completed the application process online, giving them advanced notice their parking permit is due to expire soon. The email states this is a 'Blue Badge Reapplication reminder' and gives details of when your badge is due to expire. It goes on to give the specific date you need to reapply by 'otherwise you could be without a valid badge '. That's the important bit as Blue Badge holders could face a hefty £1,000 fine if they continue to display it after it has expired. This is because displaying an out of date Blue Badge is classed as 'misuse'. Transport Scotland guidance states: 'Misuse of a badge is a crime. You may be prosecuted if you misuse a badge.' Permit holders may also not be aware that applying for a Blue Badge early has no impact on the current Badge as the new one starts the day after the current one expires. It's also worth noting that once the local council has approved and entered the application on to the UK Government system, it usually arrives within 10 working days. Once you have completed the renewal process online, which involves providing details of your existing Blue Badge, personal details and eligibility criteria, you will receive an email confirming whether or not you have been successful. If you have, the email will also include instructions on making the Blue Badge payment to your local council - in Scotland this is £20. It costs up to £10 in England and is free in Wales. Most Blue Badges are issued for a maximum of up to three years, but this can vary by issuing council area and claimant. Once the payment has been made, you will then receive an email from the Department for Work and Transport confirming that your Blue Badge has been ordered and will arrive within 10 working days. The email also include: Name of your local authority issuing the Badge Badge number Badge start date Badge expiry date If your Blue Badge is due to expire in September or October, you can renew it now and have peace of mind that you won't forget. It's also worth checking your emails for the UK Government reminder. Eligibility for a Blue Badge is also reviewed every time a renewal application is submitted. Guidance on explains: 'Your Blue Badge is not renewed automatically. You need to reapply for it every 3 years. 'Your eligibility will be checked every time you reapply. This is to make sure you can still get a Blue Badge. Your local council processes your application and decides if you can get a Blue Badge. 'You should reapply 12 weeks before your badge expires.' The eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge was extended in 2019 to include individuals with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson's, dementia and epilepsy to help more people park closer to the places they want to go when they travel as a driver, or a passenger. How to renew a Blue Badge online You will need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders. You will also need a photo or scan of your: proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence) proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter) proof of benefits (if you get any) You will also need to know: your National Insurance number (if you have one) the details of your current Blue Badge You can start the application online and save the information you enter if you need to look for the required documents. You can easily return to it later and complete the process. Change of details You should contact your local council if there's a change to your: name address council area contact details Top 10 things to remember when using your Blue Badge You must follow the rules when using your Blue Badge, if you don't you are committing a crime You can only use your Blue Badge as a driver or passenger No-one else should use your badge if you are not in the vehicle with them If you are not getting out of the vehicle, you should not use your Blue Badge to get a parking space You must not let other people use your badge You must display your Blue Badge the right way up so the number can be seen clearly and your photo is face down You must apply for a new badge before your old badge runs out If your badge gets damaged you must apply for a new one Keep your badge safe. If it is lost or stolen, you must tell the police and the Local Council Check signs to make sure that Blue Badge holders are allowed to park there
Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
All the sneaky ways you can be overcharged or hit with surprise bills
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares her checklist to get on top of your life administration and make sure you don't end up overpaying for things Forgotten trials, insurance auto-renews, and out-of-date documents: these can all cost you thousands over a lifetime. This is especially true if you don't keep a regular household budget of expenses, as it can be easy to miss things that aren't part of your weekly spending. Use this checklist to get on top of your life administration and make sure you don't end up overpaying for things simply because you forgot! Check your subscriptions This one can save you a lot of cash for just a couple of hours' work. Go through your PayPal, credit cards, and bank statements for the last year. Write down anything that is a repeat subscription and how much it costs. You need to go back through the last 12 months of statements to make sure you don't miss things that are billed annually! Now, take stock of the list. Do you use the subscriptions? If you use something regularly but pay monthly, switching to an annual plan could save you cash. But if you signed up to something a while ago but you don't use it enough – cancel it. Update your address Missing important letters is easy when you move house. Set up Royal Mail Redirect for a year when you move, to ensure you don't miss anything. But make sure you update your address on everything in a timely manner, too. This includes on your car V5 (which could land you a £1,000 fine if you forget), your bank and credit cards, PayPal and other payment platforms, and the electoral roll. Even if you move within the same local authority and you've updated your address with the council, make sure you also update the electoral roll ASAP as it can impact your credit score. Renew your driving licence You need to renew a photocard driving licence every ten years. It's easy to do online and costs £14. When you're aged 70 years old and above, this renewal rate changes to every three years. If you drive without a valid licence, you face a fine up to £1000. But if you drive without a licence and cause an accident, you could be prosecuted as well as fined. Apply for your Blue Badge renewal Blue Badges are provided for a limited time, and it can be easy to forget to reapply before it runs out. However, using an out-of-date badge could land you a hefty fine up to £1000. If you don't need it anymore, you need to return it to your local council, too. Blue Badges are issued by your local authority, so check your local council's website to find out how to renew in time. Sign up for MOT reminders If you drive without a valid MOT, you're facing a fine of £1000 – rising to £2500 if your car is deemed 'dangerous' based on an MOT check. The handy thing you can do is sign up for an MOT reminder. You'll get a reminder one month before your MOT is due, which gives you enough time for the maintenance and checks to ensure it passes and time to arrange your MOT before it runs out. Update your passport If you're travelling abroad and your passport has less than six months' validity on it, you could be refused entry. This could waste your entire expenditure on your holiday, as insurance and booking refund policies will not cover errors that could be avoided, such as not having a valid passport. Renew your passport online for the fastest and cheapest service. You don't need to update your passport immediately if you've changed your name, such as when you get married. All you need to do is make sure your tickets are booked in the name in your passport. However, unexpired visas in your passport may become invalid if you change your name which could cost you a lot in fines and fees. Turn off insurance auto-renew Your car, home, and contents insurance probably have auto-renew set to 'on' as standard. This means when your annual policy ends, you could have a price hike in your policy that is automatically deducted from your bank account. Turn off auto-renew now. Set reminders in your calendar a few weeks before the policy ends, and use a comparison service to find a better quote. If you like your provider, you can take a cheaper like-for-like quote to them when it's time to renew and ask them to better (or match) it. Switch bank accounts If you haven't moved your savings around in recent years, or looked at what your current account includes for a fee, you're not making your money work hard enough for you. Many savings accounts have a great introductory interest rate, which then drops after the first year. You're missing out on free money by not keeping track of the end of these offer rates! Shop around for better savings rates on a regular basis to ensure your money is growing as fast as it can. When it comes to current accounts, if you have a fee for yours, make sure you're getting the best rate. Packaged current accounts that cost a monthly fee can often include benefits you don't use, such as travel or contents insurance cover. Assess your pension funds Many of us just keep the workplace pension fund our employer chooses to pay into. But just because it's convenient for your employer doesn't mean it's the best place for your money. Do not opt out of your workplace pension! Instead, shop around to find a pension provider that suits your goals and needs. You can regularly transfer funds from your workplace account into your chosen fund, to make sure you're not missing out on employer contributions while also putting your money where it aligns best with your goals. Check your credit report Not checking your credit report could cost you thousands if there is fraudulent activity you haven't spotted. People can open lines of credit in your name, and untangling the fallout from that can be costly and time-consuming. Even if there is no fraudulent activity, you could be accidentally missing out on better interest rates for credit, or not be able to even get it, because of a mistake on your report. This can sometimes happen if a default or non-payment is recorded when you did pay on time, or when a previously financially linked person's account still shows. Or, when an account you thought was closed is still reported as being open. You can add corrections to your report to make sure you're not losing out on credit or borrowing because of them. Check your credit report with all three providers at Equifax, TransUnion (Credit Karma), and Experian. It's free to do so and easy to check errors. It's important to check all three because they each hold slightly different information, so there could be a mistake on one that doesn't show on the others. Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Blue Badge update for people making a new claim for parking permit this summer
Local councils across Great Britain issue Blue Badges to people for up to three years. The UK Government recently confirmed that 90 per cent of all Blue Badge applications are being made through the online service. The Department for Transport also said it runs a 'programme of continuous improvement to the digital service to make online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities'. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood added that this programme also includes 'undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process'. The written response came after Reform UK MP Lee Anderson asked what steps are being taken to 'reduce processing times for applications to the Blue Badge digital service'. The Blue Badge Digital Service offers a national online application and badge management facility through The latest statistics from the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland show there are currently more than 2.8 million Blue Badge holders in England (2.57m) and Scotland (235,779). The eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge was extended in 2019 to include individuals with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson's, dementia and epilepsy to help more people park closer to the places they want to go when they travel as a driver, or a passenger. Most users will be aware their Blue Badge has an expiry date of three years from the point of issue, however, many may not be aware that renewal is not automatic and an application should be made 12 weeks (three months) before it expires to ensure the new permit arrives before the current one is no longer valid. Blue Badge holders could face a hefty £1,000 fine if they continue to display it after it has expired. This is because displaying an out of date Blue Badge is classed as 'misuse'. Transport Scotland guidance states: 'Misuse of a badge is a crime. You may be prosecuted if you misuse a badge.' Permit holders may also not be aware that applying for a Blue Badge early has no impact on the current Badge as the new one starts the day after the current one expires. It's also worth noting that once the local council has approved and processed the application, it usually arrives within 10 working days. Eligibility for a Blue Badge is also reviewed every time a renewal application is submitted. Guidance on explains: 'Your Blue Badge is not renewed automatically. You need to reapply for it every 3 years. 'Your eligibility will be checked every time you reapply. This is to make sure you can still get a Blue Badge. Your local council processes your application and decides if you can get a Blue Badge. 'You should reapply 12 weeks before your badge expires.' A Blue Badge costs £20 in Scotland, up to £10 in England and is free in Wales. You can reapply for your Blue Badge on the site here. How to renew a Blue Badge online You will need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders. You'll also need a photo or scan of your: proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence) proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter) proof of benefits (if you get any) You will also need to know: your National Insurance number (if you have one) the details of your current Blue Badge You can start the application online and save the information you enter if you need to look for the required documents. You can easily return to it later and complete the process. Change of details name address council area contact details Top 10 things to remember when using your Blue Badge You must follow the rules when using your Blue Badge, if you don't you are committing a crime You can only use your Blue Badge as a driver or passenger No-one else should use your badge if you are not in the vehicle with them If you are not getting out of the vehicle, you should not use your Blue Badge to get a parking space You must not let other people use your badge You must display your Blue Badge the right way up so the number can be seen clearly and your photo is face down You must apply for a new badge before your old badge runs out If your badge gets damaged you must apply for a new one Keep your badge safe. If it is lost or stolen, you must tell the police and the Local Council Check signs to make sure that Blue Badge holders are allowed to park there
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Are you automatically entitled to a Blue Badge? See the full list and how to apply
Some motorists are able to get a Blue Badge for parking but many might not realise A Blue Badge helps people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destinations and is a lifeline for those who need them when going about their daily lives. But there are many drivers who might be eligible for one as they automatically qualify for it. When applying for the badge you can apply on behalf of yourself or for another person. Blue Badges are also available for organisations that transport people who need the parking concession. In Scotland a Blue Badge costs £20. The badges are usually valid for a period of up to three years and there are currently more than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders across the UK, including 271,966 living in Scotland. There are guidelines for applying and, of course, eligibility criteria. But some people might automatically qualify and others who might well be eligible if they meet certain criteria. Applicants will need to provide documents when applying and this includes those who receive DWP disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), reports Chronicle Live. You can see the exact guidelines on PIP and Blue Badges below and more information can be found here. And you can apply for a Blue Badge here. Who can automatically get a Blue Badge? You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three or over and at least one of the following applies: you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component) you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress. The Department for Transport has clarified the rules around Blue Badge eligibility. It stated: "If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. "This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application." Who might qualify for a blue badge? Eligibility criteria for obtaining a Blue Badge include: you cannot walk at all you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes walking is dangerous to your health and safety you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces According to the Department for Transport's guidelines say: "Your local council will decide if you are eligible for a badge. They cannot start the assessment process until they have all the necessary evidence. "It may take 12 weeks or longer to assess your application. If they decide that you are not eligible and you think that they did not take account of all the facts, you can ask them to consider your application again." What are the documents needed to apply for a Blue Badge? To apply for a badge, you need to provide: proof of identity proof of address a recent head and shoulders digital photo your national insurance number (if you have one) contact details (phone number, email and postal address) Proof of identity options include providing either: birth or adoption certificate passport driving licence marriage or civil partnership certificate divorce or dissolution certificate You can prove your address by producing: a recent council tax bill a recent letter from a Government department such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) driving licence a recent letter from a school (if you are under 16) Applicants who believe they are entitled to a Blue Badge through certain benefits must show proof of these benefits. For those qualifying via PIP, information on their mobility assessment scores and the end date of their award, where relevant, is required. You'll also be required to present evidence of the PIP award. This should be the three pages from the DWP letter, clearly displaying entitlement to PIP (front page), assessment scores (penultimate page) and mobility scores (final page). For DLA, you'll need to know your rate of the mobility component and the award end date (if applicable). You'll also be asked to provide proof of the DLA award. This should be the most recent letter from DWP, clearly showing mobility rating, certificate of entitlement to DLA and the date of the letter. Proof of eligibility The Department for Transport clarifies that if you are applying without one of the benefits, the application will need to be assessed by the issuing local council. To assist in assessing the application, you'll be asked to provide additional information based on the answers you give when checking eligibility. If you have difficulty walking or cannot walk, or you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will be asked to provide details of any relevant medication taken, relevant treatments received or due to be received, and healthcare or associated professionals involved with the treatment of your condition. You will be asked if you wish to upload supporting documents. These could include prescriptions, diagnosis letters or correspondence between professionals treating your condition. If you struggle with walking or find it challenging, you will be asked questions about how your condition impacts your ability to walk. If you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will also be asked questions about how your journeys between your vehicle and destination are affected by your condition.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
People who can automatically get Blue Badge and won't need to pay
Blue Badges can be a lifeline for people with disabilities and health conditions. But many motorists may not be aware that some people automatically qualify for a badge Blue Badges can be a lifeline for people with disabilities or health conditions, allowing them to park closer to their destination. However, many drivers may not realise that some individuals automatically qualify for a badge. In England, Blue Badges cost up to £10 and in Scotland, they are priced at £20. In Wales, they are free of charge. You can apply for one for yourself, on behalf of someone else, or an organisation that transports people who require a Blue Badge. Typically, the badge is valid for up to three years. But what are the guidelines for applying for a Blue Badge and what is the eligibility criteria? READ MORE: 'I'm a fashion writer and found an unlikely retailer selling glitzy festival-ready outfits' Here's a rundown of all the individuals who can automatically receive a Blue Badge, those who might get one if they meet the criteria, and the documents required for application. The list includes individuals who receive DWP disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), reports the Manchester Evening News. The specific rules regarding PIP and Blue Badges are detailed below. More information can be found here. And you can apply for a Blue Badge here. Who can automatically get a Blue Badge You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three or over and at least one of the following applies: you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component) you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress The Department for Transport says: "If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application." Who may get a Blue Badge You may be eligible for a badge if one or more of the following applies: you cannot walk at all you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes walking is dangerous to your health and safety you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces The Department for Transport states: "Your local council will decide if you are eligible for a badge. They cannot start the assessment process until they have all the necessary evidence. It may take 12 weeks or longer to assess your application. If they decide that you are not eligible and you think that they did not take account of all the facts, you can ask them to consider your application again." What you need to apply for a Blue Badge You will need to provide: proof of identity proof of address a recent head and shoulders digital photo your national insurance number (if you have one) contact details (phone number, email and postal address) To prove your identity, you can provide a copy of either: birth or adoption certificate passport driving licence marriage or civil partnership certificate divorce or dissolution certificate To prove your address, you can provide a copy of either: a recent council tax bill a recent letter from a Government department such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) driving licence a recent letter from a school (if you are under 16) If you are eligible because you receive one of the benefits mentioned above, you will need to provide proof of benefits. For PIP, you'll need to know the scores from the mobility assessment and the award end date (if applicable). You'll also be asked to provide proof of the PIP award. This would be the three pages from the letter from DWP, which clearly shows - entitlement to PIP (front page), assessment scores (second to last page) and mobility scores (last page). For DLA, you'll need to know which rate of the mobility component you receive and the award end date (if applicable). You'll also be asked to provide proof of the DLA award. This should be the most recent letter from DWP, which clearly shows - mobility rating, certificate of entitlement to DLA and the date of the letter. Proof of eligibility The Department for Transport explains that if you are applying without one of the benefits, the application will need to be assessed by the issuing local council. To help assess the application, you'll be asked to provide extra information depending on the answers you give when you are checking eligibility. If you cannot walk or find walking difficult or you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will be asked to provide details of any relevant medication that is taken, relevant treatments that you receive or are due to receive, and healthcare or associated professionals that have been involved with the treatment of your condition. You will be asked if you want to upload supporting documents. This could be prescriptions, diagnosis letters or correspondence between professionals that treat your condition. If you cannot walk or find walking difficult, you will also be asked questions around how your condition affects your walking. If you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will also be asked questions around how journeys between your vehicle and destination are affected by your condition. More details are available here.
