New government benefit reform - Blue badge fee of £10

[duckwaddler]

Hi you lovely people, I hope you're all well?

 

I just wondered how many of you know about the Governments benefit reform that has resulted in the recent charge of £10 that's been brought in for disabled blue badges?

 

There are certain exemptions of the charge, these are:

 

Under 16

Terminally ill

Severely disabled armed forces personnel and veterans

 

I have a blue badge that's due to expire this month, and even though I've been entitled to one for quite some years, the one that is just about to expire was my first one, as I just paid for parking, and felt funny about applying for one, almost as if I was freeloading. But my OT told me I was more than entitled to it, and talked me into applying for it.

 

Now personally I think £10 is not much at all for three years parking, and a huge concession - what's annoyed me about it, and hundreds of others according to my local council, is the exemption criteria.

 

It's as though, if you're not under 16, terminally ill (so not going to live), or have not been blown to pieces fighting for your country, then your disability isn't as valid/important/life changing/restricting/disabling as those who fit the criteria.

 

I certainly am not having a go at those who fit the criteria, personally - and where armed personnel who have been left disabled fighting for this country are concerned, or those with a terminal illness, do not get anywhere near the help or support they should!

 

But yet again, rather than increase those who fit the criterias level of help, support or benefits, they're menialising those who don't fit the criteria, taking from them, in order to make those who do look as if they're getting extra help!

 

Much the same as was mentioned by Government with regards to civil servant jobs up and down the country - rather than raise the wage of those struggling to survive on their wage down south - they want to cut the wages of those doing the same job up north to "make it fairer"!

 

I just hope that people can see that what they're doing is not helping people, or giving them more, not even for doing a job such as a nurse - no, they're taking from people to "make it fairer"!!!

 

Anyway, my little rant over

 

Hopefully anyone who wasn't aware of the charge now has the right information - I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post up links to the site with all the information on? If I am I will

[Nystagmite]

I think this was mentioned some time ago. It should either be you all pay for your blue badge, or you don't.

[duckwaddler]

I think this was mentioned some time ago. It should either be you all pay for your blue badge, or you don't.

 

I agree!

 

What about those who are disabled, but manage to get a job that fits around their disability? they now have to pay for the very permit that ensures they can stay in their job!

 

Like I say, me personally, I've not long had my blue badge, and always paid before as I felt like I would be freeloading - and £10 isn't a vast amount, so it's really not about the fee, it blatant discrimination between the disabled!

[Bob Spiers]

I'm on my 4th Blue Badge ie had one for 12 years and they were always free but our council introduced a charge for them last year of £20 a badge. Being unable to work £20 is a lot of money for me to find along with the money to pay for a gardener to cut my grass since our council removed the Free care of Garden scheme I'd been receiving for the previous 8 years. they try to pull the wool over folk's eyes pretending the council tax hadn't increased when the reduction in various services equates to an increase in Council Tax in my eyes.

[Conniff]

It is a form of discrimination just like the home secretary saying last week she wants the death penalty for those who kill police officers, I think that is wrong, what is so special about them, murder is murder ?