The number of people using the blue badge disabled parking scheme in Tower Hamlets increased by over 10% last year, according to new data.  

However, a leading fraud investigator has raised concerns that the true extent of fraudulent badge use remains unknown, calling it a "sad reflection" on the Government.  

The rise in Tower Hamlets reflects a national trend, with the number of blue badge holders in England reaching a record high of 2.8 million by March, a 10% increase from the previous year.  

Blue badges, which must be renewed every three years, allow people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destinations, improving accessibility.  

Figures from the Department for Transport show that around 3,700 new badges were issued in Tower Hamlets in the year leading up to March, bringing the total to approximately 9,000—up from 8,000 the previous year and a 76% increase over the past decade.  

A key factor in this growth is the 2019 expansion of eligibility to include people with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and epilepsy, leading to a surge in applications.  

Despite the scheme’s benefits, concerns about fraud persist. Paul Slowey, chief executive of the National Agency for Blue Badge Fraud Investigations, estimates that around 560,000 badges—20% of the total—may have been issued fraudulently. He criticized the Government for not releasing prosecution data since 2021, arguing that more transparency is needed to address misuse.  

"The more badges in circulation, the higher the likelihood of fraud," Slowey warned. He emphasized the importance of ensuring badges are used correctly and prosecuting those who buy and use stolen ones.  

The British Parking Association echoed these concerns, stressing the need to maintain the scheme’s integrity by ensuring disabled parking bays are reserved for legitimate blue badge holders and preventing fraudulent use.  

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, urged able-bodied drivers to respect disabled parking spaces, noting that anyone might one day rely on the scheme for accessibility.  

The percentage of people in England with a blue badge rose from 4.6% to 4.9% last year, while in Tower Hamlets, 3% of the population holds one.  

A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the decision to stop publishing fraud data, stating it "was not widely used." However, they reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to tackling misuse, working closely with local authorities and law enforcement to prevent fraud and protect the scheme’s integrity.