Blue Badge Fraud 'Clampdown'

Drivers and passengers who use disabled badges fraudulently could have them confiscated.

The Scottish Government hopes the power to issue a £1000 fine and confiscate badges, as well as to cancel lost or stolen ones, will stop people trying to avoid parking fines and taking spaces from those who genuinely need them.

More than 20,000 people in the Kingdom are currently entitled to a blue badge.

Cllr Pat Callaghan, Fife Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Environment and Transportation said: “I’m saddened the Scottish Government has deemed it necessary to take this action, but Fife Council fully supports this campaign. We need to stamp out the misuse of Blue Badges.

“In Fife we’ve more than 20,000 Blue Badge holders. Granting us these extra powers and clamping down on misuse, allows our BlueBadge holders to lead independent lives.”

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Blue Badge misuse is socially unacceptable as it prevents the 228,000 legitimate badgeholders across Scotland from accessing the on-street parking concessions to which they are entitled.

“Granting extra powers for local authorities to tackle Blue Badgemisuse and confiscate badges that are not valid or are being used illegally by a third party for their own benefit will allow disabled badgeholders to access services in the community and lead independent lives.”