SNP MSP hits out at ‘unfair’ parking tax plans, claiming motorists already pay enough Richard Lyle made his displeasure with the policy clear during a committee meeting

An SNP MSP has compared plans to allow councils to introduce fees for workplace parking spaces to increasing people’s income tax by 10p.

Richard Lyle described the proposed Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) as “unfair” on motorists such as himself, arguing that he already paid more than enough tax to get behind the wheel.

“Would you not agree that the Workplace Parking Levy is an unfair tax on myself and other people?” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Richard Lyle MSP

In a series of heated exchanges at Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, he said he had been contacted by teachers and police officers worried about the new tax.

The policy, which is designed to reduce congestion on the roads and cut air pollution, is being supported by the Scottish Government as part of a deal with the Greens to pass its Budget.

Under the plans, councils will be given the power to introduce a parking tax for businesses and other employers, which could then be passed on to individual employees.

The level of the fee will be set by individual councils, but a scheme currently operating in Nottingham charges £415 per space.

An official consultation on the issue attracted almost 4,600 responses, with almost 60 per cent of the public saying they were in favour of the idea, arguing it would encourage people to walk or cycle more.

But questioning Nottingham City Council’s head of transport strategy Chris Carter, Mr Lyle made his displeasure with the policy clear.

Police concerns

“As a motorist I pay road tax, I pay petrol duty, I pay insurance. Would you not agree that the Workplace Parking Levy is an unfair tax on myself and other people?” he asked.

“This is over and above parking charges. This is something that’s never been in place in our country and you suggest that I’ve got to pay it.

“You could just say to me ‘Let’s put your income tax up by 10 pence, Mr Lyle’, couldn’t you?”

The MSP also said he had been emailed by a police officer who told him he was worried that if he had to park on the street rather than at the station, local residents may “target” his car.

Staff working at NHS buildings and hospices will not have to pay the tax, but it will be left up to individual councils whether to hand a similar exemption to police officers and teachers.

Responding to Mr Lyle’s comments about income tax, Mr Carter said the policy was supposed to be more precise in order to “encourage behaviour change”.

“At the moment it’s very inconsistent, isn’t it? Some employers will charge employees to park, others don’t, so at the moment you could say it’s very unfair,” he added.

“A lot of employers pay a huge amount of money to provide car parks at no cost to the employees, and it’s all the people who don’t drive who are bearing the cost of that.”