dunroof wrote:

Oh and finally, the allowances are not taxable and not means tested! They don't even have to be declared to the tax people or for tax child credits.

DLA is taxable

Oh no it's not! Facts straight please.

See,

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport

And,

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/taxable-income.htm

The HMRC lists it at number one for non taxable income.

Apologies please!

It' indirectly taxable. My brother has to declare what savings he has, if it' over a certain amount then his benefit is reduced accordingly. ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

Its really strange how we are taxed to the hilt for motoring , In fact were taxed 14% higher than any other country in relation to being taxed on using a car ! So in reality the government don't want us to use our cars but public transport cant cope, but if your disabled and a non tax payer you are given a payment towards using a car & encouraged to drive to town and park in a space double the size of a standard parking space and park for free as well.
Now excuse me for speaking but as a generalization, and this doesn't apply to every blue badge holder but many I have seen are driving sports cars that even I wouldn't be able to climb in and out of and don't appear to have any trouble walking !
They should pay up and shut up !

dunroof wrote:

Oh no it's not! Facts straight please.

See,

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport

And,

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/taxable-income.htm

The HMRC lists it at number one for non taxable income.

Apologies please!

I won't comment on this one other than the OP should come to a 'meet' one day and I could help him get his blue badge.

Dave, indirectly everything is taxable.

Savings don't make any difference to DLA entitlement or the amount of allowance. It also won't make any difference to what tax you pay. Take a look at the government websites I quote.

Old Geezer, hear hear, as a generalization of course.

Tigger, no problem.

Eyorkiebar, I am lost for words, it's a generous offer, your a gem.

Fair enough give the crips the best spaces near the supermarket doors, but why do they get free parking in pay carparks???

And if double yellow lines are there for a valid reason why can badge holders park there? that really doesn't make sense?

I'm all in favour of disabled only spaces on roads so they can actually find a space, but even then they should have to pay the going rate, or does it mean the disabled are all to poor to pay??? (surely that would be discriminatorary)

Best way to stamp out blue badge fraud would be to bring back the blue spaz chariots of the 70's!!!!

Junior wrote:

Fair enough give the crips the best spaces near the supermarket doors, but why do they get free parking in pay carparks???

And if double yellow lines are there for a valid reason why can badge holders park there? that really doesn't make sense?

I'm all in favour of disabled only spaces on roads so they can actually find a space, but even then they should have to pay the going rate, or does it mean the disabled are all to poor to pay??? (surely that would be discriminatorary)

Best way to stamp out blue badge fraud would be to bring back the blue spaz chariots of the 70's!!!!

I have contributed here and I know some of my comments will have touched raw nerves, I speak as I see fit.

I also spent 8 years giving up two weeks holiday each year working taking the sick to Lourdes, these people were genuinely disabled, not even able to get out of the wheelchair they were imprisoned in. Having to care for them in every way, that is a genuine disability and a situation many people would not voluntarily put themselves in.
If I see these people parking I will and do offer assistance, it ain't easy getting them out of a car even if in a wheelchair adapted vehicle.

When I see some overweight scrote with a new car claiming he/she has backache jump out of the disabled spot and skip across the road to avoid other cars, then that is a different matter. If they are able to control a vehicle then they should be able to walk a few yards. If the disabled person is a passenger then drop them off and go and park normally.

My comments are not offensive, the offence is caused by those milking the system, shoot the offenders not the messengers

taztastic wrote:

I have contributed here and I know some of my comments will have touched raw nerves, I speak as I see fit.

I also spent 8 years giving up two weeks holiday each year working taking the sick to Lourdes, these people were genuinely disabled, not even able to get out of the wheelchair they were imprisoned in. Having to care for them in every way, that is a genuine disability and a situation many people would not voluntarily put themselves in.
If I see these people parking I will and do offer assistance, it ain't easy getting them out of a car even if in a wheelchair adapted vehicle.

When I see some overweight scrote with a new car claiming he/she has backache jump out of the disabled spot and skip across the road to avoid other cars, then that is a different matter. If they are able to control a vehicle then they should be able to walk a few yards. If the disabled person is a passenger then drop them off and go and park normally.

My comments are not offensive, the offence is caused by those milking the system, shoot the offenders not the messengers

I did oversimplify, guilty on that, you do have valid points and of course an adapted car would, quite rightly, require more space. How many times will she have found a suitable space, only to find it taken by someone who is perfectly able to walk a few yards.

It is a very emotive subject, and one that is almost impossible to think through, without causing upset, which is never an intention.

Yep, fair enough

This does remind me of a funny story. When I was in my early 20's I used to volunteer for one to one care, for a group organising holidays for young physically disabled adults. One of the carers relayed a story to me:


He was on a train, sitting on a seat reserved for the disabled, whilst appearing to be young, fit and able bodied.

An old lady came up and lectured him on the "error of his ways" for abusing the facility (youth of today, etc...). He didn't say anything but, once she'd taken time to draw breath, he pulled up his trouser leg to reveal... his metal leg from the knee down!


Sometimes it's best not to make too many assumptions about someones ability based on initial appearances!

Accepted there are always exceptions, but Blue Badges are so widely abused, it justifies the scheme being withdrawn. Likewise with Mobility Cars. Unfortunately, for every genuine person, there are 99 working the system. That's a broad generalization, but many, many people on here will relate to this. It's been a long time since I've seen the people with disabilities you describe using the local Morrisons car park. Most could show me a clean pair of heels. A lot are rude, arrogant people, like the one who approached my wife, who'd just parked in a mother and baby spot. He roared and shouted at her that he needed the spot as he was disabled and a blue badge holder that he had her in tears and the baby crying before she moved out to let him in! The Store Manager took her into his office for half an hour before she could compose herself. Unfortunately, it's not an isolated incident.

I think we have moved a bit off topic. Agreed there is abuse of the blue badge system. The issue is "pay or not pay". As far as I am concerned, if parking charges apply, everyone should pay. Those who are entitled to blue badges mostly receive other financial considerations such as Mobility allowances, care allowance etc so they are not disadvantaged.
Until I had a hip replacement earlier this year, I was disadvantaged. Walking was agony. I did not qualify for a blue badge though (?) Had to park and pay at hospitals like everyone else. Fixed now, brilliant! 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)