A disabled Perthshire man has hit out after discovering the cost to renew his blue badge is ten times higher than the previous fee.
The man, who declined to be named, was shocked to discover the increase when applying for a new permit.
He believes the price hike penalises vulnerable people and questions how it can be justified.
But Perth and Kinross Council said it was one of the last to implement the new charge following a change in national legislation.
The disabled man told The Courier: “Looking back at my cheque stubs, I found that when last renewed in 2009, the fee was £2.00.
“I am 99% sure this was the case and, if so, cannot believe that a vulnerable group should be subject to a 1,000% increase. I, and others like me, would be interested to know how this massive increase can be justified.
“I am sure that neither materials nor salaries have increased tenfold in the administration of these charges.
“Such an increase puts all others electricity, fuel, food and the like totally in the shade and yet is levelled against genuine, vulnerable groups with mobility and health problems.”
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said the law changed five years ago, but it only upped the fee last year.
She explained: “A change to national legislation in 2007 allowed councils to charge up to £20 for issuing or renewing Blue Badges.
“Perth and Kinross Council was one of the last local authorities to increase its charges, in April 2012.
“The decision to raise the charge to £20 was based on the costs incurred due to a new code of practice for local authorities introduced in January 2012. All councils were required to join a national scheme where blue badges were issued from one central point in the UK.”
She continued: “The council also had to employ independent medical advisers to carry out assessments on applicants, if required.
“Each Blue Badge allows free parking (in council car parks and parking bays) for the holder for a three-year period from the date of issue.”