Cat Smith MP has met with Parkinson’s UK in Parliament to discuss the challenges people with Parkinson’s face when applying for or renewing a Blue Badge on the basis of walking difficulty, and how they can help ensure a fairer system.
During the meeting, Cat Smith MP discussed Parkinson’s UK’s campaign to fix Blue Badges for people living with Parkinson’s, highlighting the difficulties some face navigating applications, lengthy waiting times and inconsistent decisions across local authorities.
Parkinson’s is a complex neurological condition that gets worse over time. It has more than 40 symptoms that affect mobility including slowness of movement, rigidity, tremor, pain, anxiety, and there is no cure. Someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the UK every 20 minutes.
A Blue Badge can make a significant difference to people with Parkinson’s, helping them maintain their independence and access their communities. However, the condition affects everyone differently, and symptoms can fluctuate, making it difficult for some people to demonstrate the extent of their mobility difficulties during an assessment.
Parkinson’s UK is calling for a fairer and more consistent Blue Badge system, including:
Appropriate assessments: ensuring assessors have training on fluctuating and neurological conditions so they can better assess applications from people with Parkinson’s.
Timely decisions: ensuring people receive a decision within a reasonable timeframe when they first apply.
Simpler renewals: introducing light-touch checks of personal details for people with progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s, without requiring new medical evidence or further physical assessments.
Caroline Rassell, CEO at Parkinson’s UK, said: “For people living with Parkinson’s, a Blue Badge can be a lifeline. But far too many are being let down by an unfair system that makes it unnecessarily difficult to access and keep this vital support.
“Last year, our Parkinson’s UK Local Advisers dealt with more than 2,000 Blue Badge enquiries in England alone, an increase of over 75% between 2023 and 2025. Too many people are struggling to navigate the system or facing lengthy waits or unfair rejections. Access to a Blue Badge must not be a postcode lottery.
“We need urgent action to ensure people with Parkinson’s receive appropriate assessments, timely decisions and straightforward renewals that recognise the progressive and fluctuating nature of Parkinson’s. Our team along with members of the Parkinson’s community were delighted to meet with Cat Smith MP to discuss how they can help push for these changes and ensure people with Parkinson’s get the support they need, wherever they live.”
Cat Smith MP said: “It was really valuable to meet with Parkinson’s UK and members of the Parkinson’s community to hear first-hand about the barriers people face when applying for or renewing a Blue Badge. Too many people with Parkinson’s are dealing with confusing applications, long waits and inconsistent decisions, despite living with a progressive condition that can make everyday travel extremely difficult.
“Everyone who needs a Blue Badge should be able to access one fairly and without unnecessary delay, no matter where they live. I will be pressing for a fairer and more consistent system, with better-trained assessors, timely decisions and simpler renewals for people with progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s.”
Parkinson’s UK is urging MPs to support these changes and help ensure that people with Parkinson’s can access the Blue Badge scheme fairly, consistently and without unnecessary delays.
Parkinson’s UK is the leading European funder of Parkinson’s research and is here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every step of the way. For information and support, visit parkinsons.org.uk or call the charity’s free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.