The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible for remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as 'scratch cards' if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.<\/p>
All local authorities have statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used by people who favour its accessibility and ease. Local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded.<\/p>
A copy of the letter is available on gov.uk<\/p>
Questions about medical appointments should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. Responsibility for local government is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but officials in this department will engage counterparts on these matters.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL7261"} , {"_value" : "HL7315"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-02T14:56:53.23Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have issued any guidance to councils to protect older people in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, and (4) Northern Ireland, who have removed cash or telephone credit card payment options from parking services and have introduced digital or app-only payments that require ownership and Wi-Fi connection of smartphones.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} ], "uin" : "HL7262"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605474", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1605474/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Impact Assessment and consultation on levels of private off-street parking charges and additional fees will be published in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-28T16:39:23.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 8 March to Question 156100, when his Department plans to (a) complete and (b) publish its impact assessment on levels of private parking charges and additional fees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4769", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daisy Cooper"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Albans"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Daisy Cooper"} ], "uin" : "169444"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1565424", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1565424/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government\u202fis taking action\u202fto improve the regulation of the private parking industry. My department is currently implementing the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, including the development of an independent Code of Practice that sets out straightforward rules that private parking companies must follow.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-01-18T15:46:56.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-01-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of parking companies charging for parking using mobile technology on people who do not have access to this technology; and whether he will take steps to require alternate payment methods to be made available.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"} ], "uin" : "119998"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550132", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550132/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government recognises the important link between parking provision and the vitality of our high streets and town centres. However, in line with the Government's position on localism, management of parking facilities is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is appropriate in their own area, including setting of parking tariffs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-19T16:20:38.07Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-12-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with councils across England about waiving or reducing car parking charges in the run up to Christmas in order to assist businesses in town centres.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/655", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown"} ], "uin" : "HL4161"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545009", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545009/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is standard practice to offer a discount for early payment of a parking charge notice in both local authority and private car parks. We expect the new Private Parking Code of Practice to require private parking operators to offer a discount where payment is made within 14 days of the receipt of notice.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "94860"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-01T16:11:46.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to encourage companies with responsibility for issuing Parking Charge Notices to offer discounts for early payment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4698", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Janet Daby"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewisham East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Janet Daby"} ], "uin" : "94859"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545011", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1545011/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is standard practice to offer a discount for early payment of a parking charge notice in both local authority and private car parks. We expect the new Private Parking Code of Practice to require private parking operators to offer a discount where payment is made within 14 days of the receipt of notice.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4737", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dehenna Davison"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bishop Auckland"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dehenna Davison"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "94859"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-01T16:11:46.897Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Parking: Fees and Charges"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his Department's policy is on the application of early payment discounts on Parking Charge Notices after unsuccessful appeals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4698", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Janet Daby"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Lewisham East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Janet Daby"} ], "uin" : "94860"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1542899", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1542899/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "