Recommendation 8 is accepted in principle. We discussed with the Minister the need to involve those with lived experience in the assessment process. He was confident that when joint transport authorities are established, this would be a significant feature to advise on how service provision can be improved. We realise that provisions around the establishment of JTAs primarily relate to bus and taxi services, but the Minister assured us that there could also be a role in advising on the process of applying for a blue badge. We therefore recommended that the Welsh Government sets out how it envisages a role for those with lived experience of the blue badge system in the establishment of JTAs.

In the response, the Welsh Government states that it will look to the new regional bodies to have arrangements in place for working with service users, including badge holders. The committee would appreciate greater assurances as to how this will work. I would ask the Minister for an update as to how he envisages this being implemented and monitored.

Recommendation 11 relates to amending the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, specifically around issuing statutory guidance. Inconsistencies in implementing the badge scheme was one of the main concerns raised by stakeholders and, indeed, the Minister told us that it was his first priority to ensure consistency across Wales. Yet the Welsh Government’s response is to reject, despite the Minister conceding in evidence to us that it would be more desirable to have statutory guidance in place. We are surprised and disappointed by the response. I note that the Minister’s letter says that officials will discuss the guidance with local authorities and, again, we would appreciate an update in due course.

The rejection of recommendation 13 is another area of concern. We know that the renewal process causes unnecessary worry for people, so we said that those suffering with a lifelong or deteriorating condition should be able to renew automatically, as their circumstances would not have changed. In rejecting this, the Minister referred to the blue badge digital service, which has been in operation since February, as a means of flagging whether a badge has been awarded for life. Can the Minister provide an assurance that this system is working effectively?

Our report referred to evidence we heard from Caerphilly County Borough Council who proactively contact those whose badges are approaching expiry. We welcomed this approach. Yet we heard informally from a stakeholder that local authorities were opting out of enabling the new system to issue reminder letters, as the onus was on applicants to reapply. It would be a matter of concern if this practice is widespread, and I would ask the Minister whether he is aware of these matters.

Proper enforcement is crucial to ensuring the integrity of the scheme, so I'm pleased that most of the recommendations in this area have been accepted, at least in principle. Recommendation 16 was that the Welsh and UK Governments work together to expand the range of penalties imposed on those guilty of misuse. I'm pleased that the response refers to an opportunity for an initial discussion to have taken place. However, I would be grateful for further details from the Minister as to how this will be taken forward.

Dirprwy Lywydd, in conclusion, as I've already said, the blue badge scheme is vital to enabling many people to live independently, and the prospect of being unable to have a badge causes a great deal of anxiety. These are important issues, and I hope the Welsh Government can re-consider some of our rejected recommendations to ensure the scheme operates as effectively as possible for all our communities across the length and breadth of Wales.