BLUE BADGE SCHEME AND NON-PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

That this House notes with concern that Blue Badge applications are regularly refused for people with mental health conditions, including those who suffer from severe agoraphobia and panic attacks, even in cases where this causes severe difficulty in walking; further notes that non-physical disabilities can be profoundly debilitating and traumatic, and that failure to offer appropriate support and assistance can result in people becoming housebound and isolated; believes that people who suffer from restricted mobility should be treated equally in Blue Badge assessments, regardless of the nature of their condition or disability; and calls on the Government to amend the rules and guidance of the Blue Badge Scheme to end the disadvantage suffered by those with non-physical conditions, and to ensure that local authorities fully understand their obligations in respect of those persons.