Councils will be able to decide how much to charge for disabled badges in the future, according to Paul Clark, the Gillingham MP.

Mr Clark, the Minister for Transport, told the House of Commons on Monday that it was part of a new strategy that would allow prices to rise, but legislation would protect people from excessive charges.

He said: "The application fee has been capped at £2 since 1983 and no longer reflects modern costs and income.

"We estimate that the average application processing cost is now £14.47 per badge.

"We plan to legislate to enable local authorities to set their own fees, which cover these costs more appropriately.

"The legislation will protect against any excessive charging.

"Any future charges will be far outweighed by the financial benefits that badge holders receive in being able to park for free across the UK."

No date has yet been set for the new charging regime, but it would be in the next five years, he said.

The fee is charged at the time someone applies for a Blue Badge.