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Labour accused of 'surrendering' to private parking firms
Labour faces backlash after rejecting lower parking ticket caps, costing drivers up to £1.6 billion.
In brief
Labour faces backlash after rejecting lower parking ticket caps, costing drivers up to £1.6 billion. Labour ministers rejected lowering parking ticket caps despite potential savings of £1.6 billion for drivers. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Labour accused of 'surrendering'
Labour accused of 'surrendering' to private parking firms after ministers rejected bringing in a lower cap on tickets.
“Labour accused of 'surrendering' to private parking firms”
Ministers rejected lower cap
Ministers rejected bringing in a lower cap on tickets, costing drivers up to £1.6 billion.
“ministers rejected bringing in a lower cap on tickets”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham praised rules
Prime Minister Andy Burnham led a chorus of praise for new rules aimed at getting tough on 'cowboy' private firms.
“Prime Minister Andy Burnham led a chorus of praise for new rules aimed at getting tough on 'cowboy' private firms”
Existing cap on fines
The existing cap on maximum fines is £100 for parking violations.
“The existing cap on maximum fines is £100 for parking violations”
Critics point out existing cap
Critics pointed out this was already the existing cap and ministers rejected lowering it to £80.
“Critics pointed out this was already the existing cap and ministers rejected lowering it to £80”
Discount options
Forcing private firms to offer drivers a 50 per cent discount on parking tickets paid within 14 days was also dismissed.
“Forcing private firms to offer drivers a 50 per cent discount on parking tickets paid within 14 days was also dismissed”
Current discount rate
At present, motorists only get a 40 per cent discount for paying within the time period.
“At present, motorists only get a 40 per cent discount for paying within the time period”
Ticket numbers increased
The number of parking tickets issued has increased to almost 14.4 million a year, a 148 per cent increase since 2019.
“The number of parking tickets issued has increased to almost 14.4 million a year, a 148 per cent increase since 2019”
Tory shadow transport minister criticism
Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith said 'Labour must think we’re fools' over the overhaul.
“Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith said 'Labour must think we’re fools' over the overhaul”
No independent appeals process
Ministers also faced criticism for failing to bring in an independent appeals process.
“Ministers also faced criticism for failing to bring in an independent appeals process”
Current appeals process
At present, drivers who want to appeal a ticket must challenge it with one of two bodies funded by the private firms themselves.
“At present, drivers who want to appeal a ticket must challenge it with one of two bodies funded by the private firms themselves”
Critics say appeals are unfair
Critics say this means drivers are less likely to win appeals and amounts to the industry 'marking its own homework'.
“Critics say this means drivers are less likely to win appeals and amounts to the industry 'marking its own homework'”
No ban on debt collection
The new measures failed to ban debt collection sharks from hounding motorists for unpaid tickets.
“The new measures failed to ban debt collection sharks from hounding motorists for unpaid tickets”
Another consultation planned
Instead, yet another consultation is to be launched next year into the issue.
“Instead, yet another consultation is to be launched next year into the issue”
Impact assessment reveals savings
The impact assessment revealed introducing an £80 cap and 50 per cent discount option could have saved drivers up to £1.6 billion.
“The impact assessment revealed introducing an £80 cap and 50 per cent discount option could have saved drivers up to £1.6 billion”
Ministers rejected savings option
Despite this, ministers rejected it, claiming reduced revenue may lead to firms hiking parking charges.
“Despite this, ministers rejected it, claiming reduced revenue may lead to firms hiking parking charges”
Alternative savings option
Reducing the cap to £80 but keeping the existing 40 per cent discount option would save drivers around £1.1 billion.
“Reducing the cap to £80 but keeping the existing 40 per cent discount option would save drivers around £1.1 billion”
Tory proposal
Before losing the 2024 general election, the Tories had proposed capping tickets at £50 - half the current cap.
“Before losing the 2024 general election, the Tories had proposed capping tickets at £50 - half the current cap”
Howard Cox criticism
Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said 'Labour has bottled it' and 'this isn't a crackdown on rogue operators; it's a surrender to them'.
“Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said 'Labour has bottled it' and 'this isn't a crackdown on rogue operators; it's a surrender to them'”
Private car parks growth
The number of private car parks has mushroomed from about 10,000 in 2012 to almost 50,000 today.
“The number of private car parks has mushroomed from about 10,000 in 2012 to almost 50,000 today”
What to remember
Labour ministers rejected lowering parking ticket caps despite potential savings of £1.6 billion for drivers.
