Major benefits change comes into force today and triggers warning for disabled people
A two-year ban on severely disabled benefit claimants being moved to Universal Credit has been lifted from Wednesday - here is how it could affect people
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The Local Government Association said fraudsters using Blue Badges illegally are robbing disabled people of their independence. Department for Transport data shows there were 14 prosecutions for misuse of the Blue Badge scheme in Gloucestershire in 2019-20 – one fewer than the previous year. All of them targeted a non-badge holder. Blue Badges are issued by councils to people with disabilities and allow them to park closer to their destination. Some people qualify for a badge automatically, while others have to be periodically re-assessed. The scheme was recently extended to include those with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and other hidden impairments.
The Local Government Association said fraudsters using Blue Badges illegally are robbing disabled people of their independence. Department for Transport data shows there were three prosecutions for misuse of the Blue Badge scheme in Essex in 2019-20 – there were none the previous year. All of them targeted a non-badge holder. Blue Badges are issued by councils to people with disabilities and allow them to park closer to their destination. Some people qualify for a badge automatically, while others have to be periodically re-assessed. The scheme was recently extended to include those with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and other hidden impairments.