Mark Oaten calls on Government to introduce temporary disability badges

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten has urged the Government to provide better support for people suffering from short term disabilities by introducing temporary disability badges.

Under current Government policy unless you have a limiting condition that will affect you for three years you are not entitled to a ‘Blue Badge’ disability certificate. This disadvantages all those individuals who suffer an injury or undergo an operation which leaves them unable to get around easily for a period of time less than the current three year standard.

The issue affects thousands of people throughout Winchester and the UK each year leading to unnecessary frustration and inconvenience based on the current system’s refusal to grant disability badges. 

In a letter to The Department for Work and Pensions and a Parliamentary Question Mr Oaten has asked whether the Government will look into the viability of introducing disability badges on a temporary basis. These disability badges can be approved by a relevant GP and their introduction would serve to provide the necessary support for individuals while ensuring that they can continue their daily living as independently as possible.

Mark Oaten MP stated:

“It seems quite absurd that there is this ‘qualification’ time set at three years when clearly there are going to be so many people who require disability permits on a temporary basis.

“Someone who has suffered an injury and can’t get about for five months needs a disability badge to lead their life as close to normalcy as possible. It surely isn’t hard for the Government to adopt a system that makes this possible.