Blue badge consultation ignores mental impairments

[Yankee_Doodle]

We are very disappointed to learn of the government's response to the consultation on the blue badge scheme that they carried out last year.

The consultation was carried out as part of the government's reforms to the welfare system. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will begin to be introduced for people who are aged 16 to 64 from 8 April 2013. From October 2013 onwards, PIP will begin to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for existing DLA recipients aged between 16 and 64.

The key area of concern they have opted to ignore will impact on many people suffering with anxiety and mental health problems, as highlighted in the paragraph below from the Executive Summary of their response.

"1.5 There were many responses to the consultation that requested eligibility for Blue Badge scheme be widened to include, for example, people with cognitive or mental impairments, conditions such as autism and to allow carers to have badges. Ministers have decided that it is not possible to extend the scheme, given the costs that would be involved and the impact on existing badge holders."

We will be responding further to this. For full details of the new scheme visit gov.uk/government/speeches/...

[ellabella]

This is another ridiculous hurdle to climb over. I'm fighting the bedroom tax at the moment and then will have this to look forward to. I really don't expect much more from this government . The quality of life I have at the present time is abysmal. Thank you for the information Yankee xx

[Hidden]

this government really is hurting the poorest people in our society, especially the people who cannot defend themselves it gets me so annoyed. its a pity the general election is so far away. newton6848 x