Walsall MP takes up battle as disabled blue badge taken away from woman, 82
An 82-year-old pensioner had a disabled blue badge taken away from her after holding it for 10 years.
The unnamed pensioner's case was raised in Parliament by Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz who has accused Walsall Council of 'misinterpreting' the rules around renewing the passes.
She questioned whether the council's assessors were 'medically qualified'.
The pensioner, who suffers from osteoporosis, was left baffled by the decision to turn her down when she applied to renew her badge.
Miss Vaz said: "I raised this with the Leader of the House (Chris Grayling) because a blue badge was withdrawn from an 82-year-old senior citizen who has held it for 10 years.
"Instead of making time for a review of the guidance, the Leader of the House suggested I challenge the local authority's decision.
"However, challenging every unfair decision costs more council officer time than reissuing blue badges to those who need them."
The Labour MP added: "In response to previous cases, I tabled a written parliamentary question in 2013 and the reply said that 'where the disability will clearly not improve the renewal process should be a straightforward process'.
"This does not reflect the experience of my constituents and shows the guidance is being misinterpreted by the local authority. Furthermore, my constituents are not clear if their assessors are medically qualified."
Speaking in the House of Commons Miss Vaz said: "My 82-year-old constituent was refused a blue badge, despite having had one for the past 10 years and having a progressive condition.
"May we have an urgent statement on and a review of the blue badge guidance to stop this unfairness?"
Mr Grayling replied: "The blue badge guidance always has to be fairly tight in order to ensure that people cannot abuse the system.
"We can challenge the local authorities when they get it wrong. I know the honourable lady will do so now to ensure the right decision is taken."
Councillor Mohammed Arif from Walsall Council said: "In line with Government Guidance blue badge applications are considered on an individual basis. Each applicant is assessed against their mobility not their medical condition."
