Blue Badge Key Facts and Figures

• There were approximately 270,000 Blue Badge holders in Scotland as at 31 March 2011. Approximately 3 million across England, Scotland and Wales.

• About 50% of existing Blue Badge holders are issued under the automatic criteria i.e. without further assessment.

• About 50% of existing Blue Badge holders are issued after further assessment.

• Most badges are valid for three years and the badge is for the holder’s use and benefit only.

• Blue Badge numbers are increasing year on year and are expected to continue increasing due to the aging population.

• Many Blue Badge holders have said that they would go out less and would be more reliant on friends and family members if they did not have a badge.

• A person is eligible for a badge if they meet one of the criteria. They can be assessed as eligible either ‘without further assessment’ or ‘subject to further assessment’ by the local authority.

• Fraudulent use and misuse of Blue Badges is increasing.

• Badge holders have great benefits in terms of parking concessions. Potential savings over the three year life span of a badge can be significant.