Latest news with #FOI
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
New Blue Badge parking warning to over three million users across the UK
There are currently over 3.2 million Blue Badge holders in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For every designated Blue Badge parking bay in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are currently 52 permit holders requiring access, warns after analysing new data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK councils. The data revealed there are currently over 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders in the UK, in comparison with 63,000 designated Blue Badge parking bays. Due to rising demand for accessible parking, m has created an online tool to help people find the nearest one - whatever their location. That's as the rate of new applications for Blue Badge permits has increased by 31 per cent between 2022 and 2024. In total, 1.3m new applications were made between 2022 and 2024, on top of the 1.5m renewal applications also made for existing holders. research also found that of the 2.8m applications made between 2022 and 20249 for both new and renewals, 245,566 were rejected. These were recorded for several reasons, including: Blue Badge holders and parking bays across UK As of 2024, the number of Blue Badge spaces and permit holders across the UK, includes: Scotland Number of Blue Badge holders: 271,966 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 16,808 England Number of Blue Badge holders: 2,635,428 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 43,604 Wales Number of Blue Badge holders: 219,614 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 2,588 Northern Ireland Number of Blue Badge holders: 149,038 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: Not available When it comes to the number of Blue Badge spaces available for those who need them, it's also important to be aware of the growing number of people wrongly using the designated parking spot. There have been 705,310 PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) distributed for the misuse of Blue Badge parking bays. Blue badges are designed to make life easier for people with mobility issues, but for many, finding a space can sometimes be tricky. A survey found that a third (36%) of Blue Badge holders said they have turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a Blue Badge already in the space. Around the same number (34%) said there simply aren't enough accessible spaces in their area. When there's no space available, two-thirds (65%) said they have had no choice but to park in a standard space. But that doesn't always work - especially when extra room is needed to get out of the car. Worryingly, two-in-five (40%) have even had to leave a car park altogether because there were no accessible bays free. A third (36%) said they have avoided visiting certain places because they weren't sure they'd be able to park nearby. In response to their findings, have created a look-up tool to help Blue Badge holders find out how many designated parking bays are available in their local council area. Users can also use the tool to look up Blue Badge spaces in their area using the map online here. Commenting on the findings, Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at car insurance, said: 'Blue Badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK, but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles. 'This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. Shockingly, for every one Blue Badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it. 'If you're using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. It's clear that more needs to be done, both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse. 'If you're caught using a Blue Badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100.'
The Courier
a day ago
- The Courier
Forfar Gables sale on the cards as council snubs vandalism bill FOI query
The possible sale of the vandal-hit Gables centre in Forfar is back on the agenda. The centre for adults with learning disabilities has lain empty since its residents were moved to Forfar's former Beech Hill House care home in 2023. Since then, the Arbroath Road property has become a magnet for vandals. A fire there in February was the latest in a series of incidents. Next week, a confidential report on possible disposal of The Gables will go before councillors. It could see affordable housing plans for the site rejuvenated. The move comes as Angus Council has snubbed questions around how much has been spent there since the shutters went up. Plans for an affordable housing transformation were first drawn up in 2018. And in 2020, councillors approved the transfer of the land to Caledonia Housing Association. But the £3.5 million project didn't materialise due to soaring costs. It was scrapped in 2022. The council recently confirmed the land transfer never went ahead. In April, the housing association said it remained in talks with Angus Council. A spokesperson for Caledonia said: 'We are aware that a report relating to The Gables site in Forfar is due to be considered by Angus Council's policy committee next week. 'We are not yet privy to the detail of the report or its recommendations.' Despite the empty centre being directly next door to Forfar fire station, brazen youths have repeatedly broken in. Images following the fire in February revealed the shocking state inside the building. It included widespread damage to the main lounge and kitchen, graffiti, and burnt furniture. Through Freedom of Information (FOI), The Courier sought answers to several questions relating to the building. These included the number of incidents of unauthorised entry or vandalism, and how often Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue had been involved. The amount spent on repairs and security measures was also requested. A response – due within 20 working days of the April 8 request – is yet to be received. The council has also failed to respond to follow-up emails seeking an update on the FOI request's progress.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Dublin City Council cited ‘low usage' to shut €1.4m toilet -- but stopped counting users in 2023
Dublin City Council blamed 'low usage' as the reason for closing a €1.4million public toilet in the capital, but the council hasn't recorded the number of people using the toilet in over a year-and-a-half. The announcement at the start of May that the only public toilets in the city centre would be closed was quickly reversed after backlash from city councillors and the public. Dublin City Council (DCC) had said the toilets, installed near St Stephen's Green shopping centre in June 2020, would be removed due to 'low usage' and were used by 1,500 people per week. However, a FOI request by found DCC stopped recording these figures in September 2023. Dublin City Council blamed 'low usage' as the reason for closing a €1.4million public toilet in the capital, but the council hasn't recorded the number of people using the toilet in over a year-and-a-half. Pic: Rolling News The council stated the number of people entering the toilets was counted by security staff with 'a hand-held device similar to what you might see security staff use at nightclubs', and that data was 'sporadic and limited'. A report given to councillors in April of this year also repeated the '1,500 person per week' statistic without informing the councillors that this was data from two years ago. The report also noted that the 'current operator for this unit is ceasing trading' and DCC did not plan to seek a new operator. South East Inner City councillor Claire Byrne said: 'If misleading figures in terms of usage were presented as a strong argument for shutting the toilets, I think that's really disappointing.' A DCC spokesman said the toilets were installed as a temporary measure during Covid.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
How police forces are demanding more taxpayers' cash to fight crime while spending millions on ‘woke' diversity schemes
MISGUIDED police forces are demanding extra public money while spending millions of pounds on 'woke' diversity schemes, we can reveal. Five of Britain's biggest constabularies this week wrote an open letter to the government insisting they are desperately short of funds, despite being handed almost £1billion extra by the Home Office. Advertisement 1 Woke police forces reckon they should get more government funding Credit: PA Yet a Sun probe today shows the extraordinary amounts being spent on Freedom of Information requests show that in the last year, the Met spent £3.6million, West Yorkshire Police blew over £1million, West Midlands Police paid out £222,378 and Greater Manchester Police spent £335,653. Merseyside Police — which failed to respond to our FOI request — is believed to have allocated a similar amount. In total, this would have paid for an extra 139 bobbies on the beat, given the average Meanwhile, around one million work days are lost to diversity training across the public sector, according to pressure group Conservative Way Forward, draining resources. Advertisement Read More on UK News 'High workloads' The Met employed 51 officers and staff in 'culture, diversity and inclusion' roles between April 2024 and February. This was paid for by record funding of £1.148billion, which accounted for 27 per cent of City Hall's annual budget — up eight per cent on 2016. Across the country, a total of £19.5billion has been allocated for policing as part of the government's Plan for Change programme, an increase of £987million on last year. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is calling for more funding after the capital saw a 41 per cent rise in theft and a 58 per cent hike in Advertisement Most read in The Sun Total recorded crime went up by two per cent in the same period, according to the Office for National Statistics, while Phone muggings and 'It's mind-boggling!' Woke cops need to prevent REAL crime and stop policing tweets, rages Reform MP Meanwhile, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has rated the Met 'inadequate' at investigating crime. Its 2025 report states: 'Supervisors in investigation teams have little or no training in how to manage crime workloads.' Advertisement Police Federation Of England and Wales acting chair Tiffany Lynch has warned 'we are on track to lose 10,000 officers a year' as senior bobbies quit — and it will cost £10billion over five years to replace them. Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police — whose Chief Constable John Robins put his name to this week's letter — has been slammed for prioritising ethnic minority recruits. There was outrage this year when it was reported that under-represented groups were allowed to submit an 'early expression of interest' in work before white British recruits. The force denied discrimination, but one Facebook user raged: 'So much for diversity and inclusion.' Advertisement Another added: 'Surely this is racist. This wouldn't be allowed the other way around?' Robins' force budgeted £1,069,188 to employ 19 inclusion and diversity staff, in both uniformed and non-uniformed roles. They include three diversity, equality and inclusion officers costing £45,924 a year each; two administrative assistants costing £30,912 a time; and six uniformed positive action ambassadors on £59,844. Advertisement A uniformed positive action inspector costs £94,272 per annum, and the constabulary is also paying out £361,000 to an external provider for equality and diversity training. While that is happening, West Yorkshire has the highest crime rate of the five constabularies calling for more funds, with 115.2 recorded crimes per 1,000 of the population last year, ONS data shows. Sexual offences are up 11 per cent, vehicle offences are up four per cent and shoplifting is up by two per cent. The latest HMICFRS evaluation concluded West Yorkshire's crime investigation 'requires improvement'. Advertisement The report said team supervisors complained of being 'affected by high workloads, dealing with daily prisoner demand and supporting inexperienced officers'. 'Saddled with debt' Elsewhere, West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has fears of an 'overstretched police service saddled with debt, broken buildings and outdated technology'. He cut his DEI team in half last year after his force spent £184,602 on diversity and inclusion training since 2019. This year, it employed a sergeant and an inspector in DEI roles, earning at least £112,605 between them based on current annual pay brackets. Advertisement It also retained two police staff earning £81,000 in total for doing a similar role, while £28,773 was spent on DEI training. ONS data shows West Midlands Police recorded the highest rate of knife crime outside London last year — 156 offences per 100,000 people. There was a 32 per cent increase in The report states: 'We found the force hasn't made enough progress improving the standard of its investigations since our last inspection. Advertisement 'As a result, not enough offenders are being brought to justice. 'We acknowledge the force does a good job of investigating many of the most serious crimes. But in our crime file review, we judged that only 54 of 100 investigations were effective. This is concerning.' The Met wants more funding after a 41% rise in theft and a 58% hike in shoplifting last year yet it employed 51 officers and staff in 'culture, diversity and inclusion' roles Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson is another calling for more funding. His force is currently spending £335,653 a year paying three uniformed officers promoting diversity and inclusion, although 'all training is completed in-house,' according to a response to our FOI request. Advertisement Residents are concerned that sexual offences were up five per cent last year, while shoplifting rose by 20 per cent. HMICFRS inspectors have flagged issues with how the force monitors registered sex offenders, finding a backlog of 1,490 home visits had built up by 2023. The report added: 'At the end of our inspection period, the force told us that backlogs had been reduced to 163 overdue visits. As a result, it is considering keeping the structure it developed as part of its successful plan to reduce overdue visits.' Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Serena Kennedy, was another signatory, along with Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council. Advertisement Shocking statistics Sexual offences rose by seven per cent on Merseyside last year, according to the ONS, while shoplifting jumped by 13 per cent and The latest HMICFRS review found a significant backlog of sex offender cases, stating: 'The force doesn't have clear governance or oversight . . . to manage risks posed by online child abuse offenders. 'There are unnecessary delays in consulting with social services to start safeguarding children.' The Taxpayers' Alliance say UK police diversity jobs have increased by almost a third in three years, costing £15million since the beginning of the 2021-22 financial year. Advertisement This nonsensical obsession with diversity has to end. Anything else is a waste of time and money Chris Philp The drive is already proving controversial, with Hertfordshire Constabulary criticised for advising staff not to use 'Sir' and 'Ma'am' when addressing the public. And Staffordshire Police was blasted for warning that gender specific words such as 'policeman' may be illegal. Phrases including 'man up' and 'grow a pair' also became a no-no. 'This nonsensical obsession with diversity has to end. Anything else is a waste of time and money.' A Met Police spokesman said: 'This team works to raise standards across the Met. This work will deliver better outcomes for victims.' Advertisement And Catherine Hankinson, West Yorkshire's Deputy Chief Constable, said: 'Officers, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to reduce crime, protect the vulnerable and reassure the public. We aim to deliver the best possible service while remaining committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton driver caught by parking rule gets fine cancelled
A driver who managed to get a family member's fine for a parking infringement cancelled said more motorists could see their penalties £70 fine for parking more than 50cm (19.7in) from the kerb in Northampton was scrapped after Richard Smith noticed there was no measuring device in the council's photo of the a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, he was told by the council it had issued 350 tickets for the same offence in the last year, bringing in £10,000 in Northamptonshire Council has been asked for a response. Richard Smith said a family member received the penalty charge after parking in her own Smith said: "She woke up next morning to a ticket on her car and she said, 'What do I do?' And I said, 'I'll appeal it for you.'"So we appealed it and they turned us down."The penalty was £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 Smith then asked for pictures of the council's evidence of the car being 50cm from the kerb and the council sent some stills, which did not show any measuring Smith added: "If I was producing that evidence, I'd want a tape measure or whatever they use in the picture to prove the offence."Eventually, a letter came through from West Northamptonshire Council saying the ticket would be cancelled. Mr Smith made an FOI request to find out how many similar tickets were issued in the last year and how much revenue had been collected as a response from West Northamptonshire Council showed that 350 PCNs, or Penalty Charge Notices, were issued in the 12 months to April this year, and the council collected £10, Smith hoped his story would encourage some of those 350 drivers to challenge their said: "If there are other people that weren't brave enough to do it at the time and have now seen that somebody's got this information and got off the ticket, they might say, 'I'll appeal that.'"Richard Butler, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for highways, said: "It is standard practice for officers to carry measuring devices to gather evidence where required. "If any motorist receives a PCN which they believe to be unfair or wish to challenge the issuance, then instructions on how to appeal are on the reverse of the PCN."Government guidance states that councils must "provide evidence of a contravention either from direct observation or from the record of an approved device". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
