Workplace Parking Tax

HC Deb 09 May 2000 vol 349 c363W

37. Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the proposed workplace parking tax on local economies. [120177]

Mr. Hill

Research indicates that a levy on workplace parking can help to tackle traffic congestion. Less congestion will help to improve the competitiveness of local economies. In addition, the hypothecation of the revenues raised for improving local transport will help to maintain their vitality.

We will require local authorities that choose to bring forward a workplace parking levy scheme to assess the likely impact of their scheme, including its effect on the local economy, before the Secretary of State approves the order to give effect to the scheme.