Car parking charges and use of parking apps – Government responds to Levelling Up Committee questions
3 May 2023
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has published a response from Transport and Levelling-Up Ministers (dated 17 April) to Committee correspondence on a series of car parking issues, including the Government’s Private Parking Code of Practice, the National Parking Platform, and concerns that some motorists are being digitally excluded from the phasing out of pay-as-you-go parking meters.
Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, wrote to Transport and Levelling-Up Ministers with questions on 29 March.
- Read the full letter, dated 29th March (PDF)
- Read the full response, dated 17th April (PDF)
- Find all publications from the LUHC Committee, including oral and written evidence
Chair comment
Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee said:
“It is helpful that Ministers have spelled out the progress that is being made on both private parking and on the digital divide between motorists who might not own a smartphone or may struggle to use apps if they do.
“It’s important that all parking operators, including local councils, enable the needs of all customers are met and that people can pay for their parking in a convenient way. I look forward to further updates from Ministers on how they intend to facilitate the wider roll-out of the National Parking Platform and ensure that there are suitable provisions for people to make parking payments to ensure no-one is digitally excluded.”
In November 2021, the Levelling-Up Committee took oral evidence on the Government's Private Parking Code of Practice Enforcement Framework. The Government withdrew that code of practice in June 2022 pending review. The correspondence from Ministers confirms the Government is currently developing an independent Code of Practice for private parking companies.
In December 2021, the Levelling-Up Committee followed up on its evidence session with a letter to the then Levelling-Up Minister Neil O’Brien to raise a series of issues relating to the behaviour and practice of parking operators.
Further information