Scrapping Hospital Parking Charges: £90 Million Back in People’s Pockets

While NHS staff in England are still being hit with thousands of parking fines just for doing their jobs, Scotland has taken a very different path. The SNP Government scrapped hospital parking charges back in 2008, and in the 17 years since, staff, patients and visitors have saved over £90 million.

A recent Channel 4 investigation revealed that, in 2024 alone, more than 25,000 parking fines were issued to NHS staff in just 17 of England’s 207 hospital trusts with car parks. With many other trusts failing to provide data, the true figure will be far higher – and every one of those tickets represents a frontline worker charged for the “privilege” of coming to work.

Here in Scotland, the principle is clear: NHS staff should not be hit in the pocket for caring for patients, and families should not face extra costs simply to visit loved ones in hospital. By abolishing parking charges, the SNP Government has lifted a huge financial burden from people at some of the most stressful times in their lives.

The UK Labour Government should now follow Scotland’s lead and abolish hospital parking charges across England. The contrast could not be starker – while NHS workers elsewhere are still being unfairly penalised, Scotland has shown what a different choice in government can deliver..