New style Blue Badge permits for the disabled which are
harder to reproduce fraudulently have been introduced
nationwide.
The Government announced a reform of the
current Blue Badge system in February 2011 which included making
the badges harder to alter, copy or forge.
All Blue Badges issued from 1 January 2012
will now be made from a stronger material to the cardboard used
previously. As a result people applying for a Blue Badge will be
charged a £10 administrative cost. A £5 administration fee will be
charged for replacement Blue Badges when the original has been lost
or stolen.
Councillor
David Seaton, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "Until now we
have not charged for Blue Badges however the changes to the system
mean that the badges now cost more to buy. Blue Badges are issued
for three years so the cost per year for Blue Badge holders will be
£3.33.
"In January 2011 it was estimated that abuse
of the Blue Badge scheme is costing an estimated £46 million per
year. The new style badges should help to significantly reduce this
figure and hamper people who think it is acceptable to park
illegally using a Blue Badge."
The £10 cost will cover the £4.60 the city
council pays for each Blue Badge issued and the administrative
costs of producing a badge. The fee will also help cover the cost
of assessment of an applicant's eligibility for a permit, which the
Government reform says has to be conducted by an independent
mobility assessor.
To report fraudulent use of a Blue Badge call
the city council's fraud hotline on (01733) 452250 or email
fraud@Peterborough.gov.uk.
Ends.
Additional information:
- The new badges will be made from PVC and PET
(polyethylene terephthalate), a plastic resin and a form of
polyester.
- The National Fraud Authority estimated in
January 2011 that abuse of the Blue Badge scheme is costing an
estimated £46 million per year.