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Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Warning to anyone with Blue Badge over ‘misunderstood rule' that could land you with £1,000 fine or see you lose permit
Scroll down to find out how to apply for a Blue Badge FARE GAME Warning to anyone with Blue Badge over 'misunderstood rule' that could land you with £1,000 fine or see you lose permit Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BLUE Badge holders have been issued a warning over a "misunderstood rule" that could leave drivers with a £1000 fine. The Blue Badge scheme was set up to help those with mobility issues by allowing them easier access to parking. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Blue Badges are given to those with mobility issues Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett 2 Your Blue Badge must be clearly displayed Credit: Alamy However, there is often confusion over when it can be used, with recent figures from the RAC revealing that theft and misuse of Blue Badges has risen by a over 1000% since 2016. Where Can Blue Badge Holders Park? It is often wrongly assumed that having a Blue Badge allows you to park anywhere. However, this is not the case. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park anywhere where their vehicle could endanger others or obstruct access, such as near junctions, bus stops, or the entrance to hospitals. Where To Display a Blue Badge Blue Badge holders must always ensure to display their badge clearly on the dashboard, with the relevant details on show. Some people mistakenly think that its OK to borrow a Blue Badge from someone, or use it whilst the holder is not present, but this is not the case. People who use someone else's Blue Badge, when the badge holder is not in the car could be subject to a £1000 fine. Using a badge that has expired and failing to return a badge that is no longer needed can also lead to hefty fines. How To Get A Blue Badge In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the website. Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis. My car was towed from disabled parking spot even though I have a badge - I had to pay £100s but it's the council's fault Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. Badges in Wales are free. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Blue Badges in England and Wales typically last for three years, after which holders must reapply. However, some badges are valid until the end of certain benefits, such as Personal Independence Payments. Reminders of expiration are not sent out to badge holders, so you have to keep an eye on the date yourself, and apply for renewal 12 weeks in advance.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Brits warned drinking water could run out in some areas in just TEN years thanks to mass immigration
New laws will also fast-track all future reservoirs as Britain races to keep the taps on DROUGHT OF ORDER Brits warned drinking water could run out in some areas in just TEN years thanks to mass immigration MASS immigration means areas of Britain face running out of drinking water in just ten years, ministers have warned. Fears over shortages have forced Environment Secretary Steve Reed to seize control of the planning system and force through two new giant reservoirs. 3 Areas of Britain face running out of drinking water in just ten years Credit: Getty 3 Water Minister Emma Hardy says 'unprecedented steps' are now being taken Credit: The emergency projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire have been declared 'nationally significant', stripping local authorities of the power to stop them. New laws will also fast-track all future reservoirs, cutting red tape, as Britain races to keep the taps on. The Government admitted rapid population growth, crumbling infrastructure and climate pressure are all pushing the country towards a water supply crisis. Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 'Britain is running out of drinking water. "In fact, because of years of underinvestment under the Conservatives, areas of the country will run out of drinking water by the middle of the next decade. 'We are taking these unprecedented steps to get reservoirs built and secure our drinking water supplies for the decades to come.' Net migration has halved over the past year to 431,000 — but only after hitting a record 906,000 in 2023. The Lincolnshire reservoir, south of Sleaford, will pump out 166million litres a day, enough for 500,000 homes or 664million cups of tea. And the Fens reservoir, near Chatteris and March, Cambs, will supply 87million litres to 250,000 homes in Britain's driest region. Both projects are entering consultation. Lincolnshire's is expected to be completed by 2040 and Cambridgeshire's by 2036. Is Bathroom Tap Water Safe to Drink? Thousands of homes in areas such as Cambridge and north Sussex are blocked from being built owing to water shortages. And a dry spring has already depleted reservoirs. Haweswater in Cumbria is so low the outline of a village flooded to create it in 1939 has been revealed. The two new reservoirs are part of a wider plan to create nine new sites, supplying an extra 670million litres of water a day across England. Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins accused Labour of trying to cover up its immigration failures with panic measures. 'Panicked announcement' She said: 'With Labour's shambolic farming policy and failure to grip immigration, it's no wonder they're making a panicked announcement about water supplies running low.' She also criticised ministers for using rising population as an excuse to 'concrete over the green belt'. PM Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to bring down net migration but has refused to set a target number. His comments came as Labour unveiled rules that will double the time migrants must wait to settle in Britain, scrap care worker visas for overseas recruits and raise the bar for skilled jobs to degree level.
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Brits warned drinking water could run out in some areas in just TEN years thanks to mass immigration
MASS immigration means areas of Britain face running out of drinking water in just ten years, ministers have warned. Fears over shortages have forced Environment Secretary 3 Areas of Britain face running out of drinking water in just ten years Credit: Getty 3 Water Minister Emma Hardy says 'unprecedented steps' are now being taken Credit: The emergency projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire have been declared 'nationally significant', stripping local authorities of the power to stop them. New laws will also fast-track all future reservoirs, cutting red tape, as Britain races to keep the taps on. The Government admitted rapid population growth, crumbling infrastructure and climate pressure are all pushing the country towards a water supply crisis. Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 'Britain is running out of drinking water. "In fact, because of years of underinvestment under the Conservatives, areas of the country will run out of drinking water by the middle of the next decade. 'We are taking these unprecedented steps to get reservoirs built and secure our drinking water supplies for the decades to come.' Net migration has halved over the past year to 431,000 — but only after hitting a record 906,000 in 2023. The Lincolnshire reservoir, south of Sleaford, will pump out 166million litres a day, enough for 500,000 homes or 664million cups of tea. Most read in The Sun And the Fens reservoir, near Chatteris and March, Cambs, will supply 87million litres to 250,000 homes in Britain's driest region. Both projects are entering consultation. Lincolnshire's is expected to be completed by 2040 and Cambridgeshire's by 2036. Is Bathroom Tap Water Safe to Drink? Thousands of homes in areas such as Cambridge and north Sussex are blocked from being built owing to water shortages. And a dry spring has already depleted reservoirs. Haweswater in Cumbria is so low the outline of a village flooded to create it in 1939 has been revealed. The two new reservoirs are part of a wider plan to create nine new sites, supplying an extra 670million litres of water a day across Shadow Environment Secretary 'Panicked announcement' She said: 'With Labour's shambolic farming policy and failure to grip immigration, it's no wonder they're making a panicked announcement about water supplies running low.' She also criticised ministers for using rising population as an excuse to 'concrete over the green belt'. Read more on the Irish Sun PM Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to bring down net migration but has refused to set a target number. His comments came as Labour unveiled rules that will double the time migrants must wait to settle in Britain, scrap care worker visas for overseas recruits and raise the bar for skilled jobs to degree level. 3 Lack of rain has depleted a reservoir in Cumbria Credit: PA
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK drivers aged over 70 issued warning over £1,000 fines
The very second a British driver becomes a septuagenarian, their driving licence automatically expires and to continue driving legally it is mandatory to renew it Motorists in the UK aged 70 and over are being urged to take immediate action after the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) issued a clear warning. Failure to renew your driving licence upon reaching 70, and every three years thereafter, means you will no longer able to drive legally, and could even result in a fine of up to £1,000, the authority says. When a British driver first becomes a septuagenarian their driving licence automatically expires. To continue driving legally it is mandatory to renew the licence. Thankfully the DVLA sends out reminders and forms as drivers approach their 70th birthdays, as well as at each subsequent renewal period. If a licence is not renewed, the individual is no longer legally allowed to drive, and doing so would mean driving without a licence or insurance — both of which are serious offences that can lead to prosecution. The DVLA even took to social media to spread the warning, posting on X: "You need to renew your licence every 3 years after you turn 70. Do it online now it's easy, quick and secure." The DVLA recommends renewing online via the official website, with applications costing £14 and typically processed within five days. For those who prefer not to use the internet, postal renewals are also available for £17 and take around three weeks. It is also possible to do it at the Post Office for slightly more expensive fee of £21. As part of the renewal process, drivers must declare any medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive safely. Failing to do so can also result in a fine of up to £1,000, and in the event of an accident could lead to prosecution. The DVLA may request further information from a driver's GP, or possibly require a driving assessment and eyesight test before making a decision on the renewal. This could lead to them being issued with a licence that is valid for a shorter period of time, or if a driver is found unfit, their licence renewal may be refused altogether. Drivers can continue to drive while their renewal is being processed, provided they meet certain conditions — they must have the support of their doctor, their previous licence must have been valid, and the renewal application must be less than a year old. A DVLA spokesperson explained: 'We encourage customers to use as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence. If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID.' Driving without a renewed licence after the age of 70 is a serious offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Not only does it carry the risk of a £1,000 fine, but can even result in your vehicle being seized by the police. With over 5.6 million people over the age of 70 holding a valid UK driving licence, the DVLA's warning is clear: act promptly to stay on the road legally and safely.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
DVLA confirms exactly when you should declare eye conditions — 3 are exempt
DVLA guidance focuses on a shorter list of notifiable eye conditions than it once did, as the previous one could have applied to almost every driver who'd ever had their eyes tested The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has set out specific rules explaining when drivers must declare eye conditions. Understanding these rules is essential for anyone who drives in the UK, as failing to notify the DVLA about certain medical conditions can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and potential prosecution if involved in an accident. You are legally required to inform the DVLA if you have any eye condition that affects both of your eyes, or your functioning eye if you have sight in one. This requirement also applies if a healthcare professional — GP, optician or eyesight specialist — has told you that you may not meet the eyesight standards for driving. The DVLA's guidance focuses on a much shorter list of notifiable eye conditions than it once did, following concerns that the previous list was overly broad and could have applied to almost every driver who'd ever had their eyes tested. Per the DVLA's most recent updates from summer 2023, car and motorcycle drivers must declare the following six eye conditions: Blepharospasm — involuntary tight closure of the eyelids Diabetic retinopathy (even following laser treatment) — a complication of diabetes, driven by unchecked blood sugar levels in the back of the eye Diplopia — double vision Glaucoma — the leading cause of blindness worldwide, which occurs when the optic nerve is damaged between the eye and the brain nyctalopia — night blindness Retinitis pigmentosa — a rare genetic condition that causes a loss or decline in vision over time If you have any of these conditions, you must notify the DVLA, even if you feel your vision is adequate. You can do this by visiting The DVLA's guidance sets out three common eye conditions that do not need to be declared — short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia) and colour-blindness (achromatopsia). You also do not need to notify the DVLA if you have had surgery to correct short sightedness and meet the required eyesight standards for driving. To drive legally, you must be able to read a car number plate (made after September 1, 2001) from 20 metres away, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary. You must also achieve a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale. It is also necessary to have an adequate field of vision, which can be assessed by an optician if in doubt. If you are unsure whether your condition affects your ability to meet these standards, you should seek advice from an eye care professional. If you have been told you may not meet the standards, you must inform the DVLA.
