16,000 'dead people' use Blue Badges
21 May 2008
- Audit Commission reveals fraud
- Blue Badges used after holder dies
- Costs taxpayers £80 million a year
More than 16,000 motorists are fraudulently using disabled parking badges, according to the Audit Commission's National Fraud Initiative.
The Comission's investigators found that thousands of drivers are using Blue Badges issued to people who have subsequently died.
By comparing recorded deaths with the list of Blue Badge holders, investigators found that 16,102 people in 80 council areas were using badges belonging to the dead.
The permits are intended for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. They entitle holders to use free reserved parking spaces and avoid paying other fees such as the London Congestion Charge.
The Audit Commission estimates that each Blue Badge used fraudulently costs taxpayers as much as £5000 a year, meaning the abuse of deceased people's badges is costing £80 million a year.
Last year 2.3 million Blue Badges were in circulation.
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