A report into the disabled parking permit application process in Wirral has revealed a huge disparity in approval rates between those with a visible physical disability and those without.

Wirral Council has said that it will review it's current processes and wants to ensure that it's application and assessment process is as fair as possible.

The blue badge parking permit scheme was extended a year ago to include people with non-visible disabilities such as autism, Parkinson's disease, dementia and anxiety.

But a BBC Shared Data Unit investigation reveals what a charity calls a “shocking disparity” between the approval rates of people with non-visible disabilities and those of people with physical disabilities, with Wirral one of the worst culprits in the country.

As of August 30, 2019, 17,777 people held valid blue badges in Wirral.

Since then 5,805 new applications have been made with 4,824 of them successfully approved and 981 declined - an approval rate of 83.1%.

Over the same period, 391 applications were received by Wirral Council from people with non-visible disabilities, but only 86 were approved, while 305 were rejected - resulting in an approval rate of just 21.99%.

This means that there is a staggering difference of 61.1 percentage points between the approval rate of applicants with physical impairments and those with non-visible disabilities.

Wirral is one of only ten councils in the country to have an approval difference greater than 50 percentage points.

The Globe approached the local authority for comment on the findings.

Cllr Yvonne Nolan, Chair of the Adult Social Care and Public Health committee, said: “The decision last year to extend the Blue Badge eligibility to people with hidden disabilities is the right one and very much welcomed by Wirral Council.

“Staff have been following nationally-set criteria when carrying out assessments for Blue Badge applications.

"Some applicants can demonstrate eligibility through the application process, whereas others need a more detailed assessment to establish their eligibility.

"Where this is necessary, the council arranges assessments by Community Occupational Therapy staff, who take all the individual’s relevant factors into account.

“It is clear from the figures that there is a big difference in the numbers of people with hidden disabilities being granted a Blue Badge in Wirral compared to other authorities and we need to understand why this might be.

"As such we will be undertaking a review of our processes and how they compare to other councils.

“I am committed to ensuring that we have an application and assessment process that is fair and accessible for everyone.”

The BBC Data Unit report also says that of the 2,295 regular parking bays owned by Wirral Council, only 86 of them (3.6%) are designated disabled parking bays.

Tim Nicholls, head of policy and public affairs at the National Autistic Society, said: Too often important changes – like the ones that were supposed to mean more autistic people got a Blue Badge – often simply aren’t being put into practice.

“Just leaving the house is incredibly hard for many autistic children and adults. Even a quick trip to the shops or park can involve detailed preparation.

"Some people don’t understand the dangers of the road or are so anxious about things going wrong, like missing an appointment or the car park being full, that they can’t contemplate going out at all.

“A Blue Badge can be a lifeline, helping you to get out and about in ways others take for granted. The changes to the rules last year were a big step in the right direction. But these figures suggest that people with non-visible disabilities, like autism, could be missing out.

“This must change. Getting a Blue Badge when you need one shouldn’t depend on where you live. The Government must make sure that the new rules are implemented fully across England. This means making sure every council has trained its Blue Badge staff, so they understand why autistic people need a Blue Badge and how this will transform their lives.”

Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, added: “These lower blue badge approval rates for people with non-visible disabilities show how some of the most vulnerable people continue to be left behind.

"There needs to be greater awareness of dementia and the advantages that such a permit can bring to people affected. It is after all a hidden condition which can have significant effects on day-to-day life, including disorientation and confusion."