Hastings and Rye MP urges govenment to provide free parking for NHS workers

Sally-Ann Hart raised the issue in the House of Commons on Wednesday, and said the Government should extend the free parking, which was temporarily introduced in March, over the Christmas period.

She said: “With Christmas fast approaching I am asking the Government to provide our health and care workers with an early present. Let’s extend the free hospital car parking again.

“Let’s make sure that as our brave NHS workers continue to battle the virus, we do all we can to support them.

“I would go further this Christmas. I would extend the free car parking beyond that of our hospitals. I am asking that the Government consider free car parking for our NHS and social care staff in all local authority car parks as well.”

Mrs Hart’s intervention followed reports that some NHS Trusts were looking at increasing car parking permits on NHS staff by as much 200 per cent.

In March, the Government introduced free hospital car parking for NHS staff through the first wave of the pandemic, but this policy was stopped once restrictions were lifted in June.

Mrs Hart said she would like to see the Government provide funding to NHS Trusts and local authorities in order to allow free hospital car parking to health and social care staff.

She added: “We shouldn’t be making life harder and more frustrating for our health and social care workers. Right now, in this pandemic, we should be in the business of helping and supporting them. Let’s extend free hospital car parking to our NHS heroes. They have been there for us throughout this pandemic, under extraordinary pressure. Let’s give them a little gift this Christmas. Let’s make life a little easier for them.”