Overview

This bill aims to abolish car parking charges at NHS hospitals in England and exempt NHS hospitals from paying business rates. It mandates the Secretary of State to ensure the abolition of charges and outlines a process for achieving this, including dealing with existing contracts. The bill also includes provisions for reporting on progress and funding.

Description

The bill has two main parts. Firstly, it makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that NHS hospitals in England cease charging patients and visitors for car parking. Existing charges must be abolished within three months of the bill passing, except where contractual obligations prevent immediate action, in which case abolition must happen at the earliest opportunity (contract end or next review). Future charges are also prohibited. Importantly, the bill doesn't require hospitals to reduce parking spaces.

Secondly, the bill amends the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to exempt NHS hospitals from paying business rates. This exemption applies to buildings that are solely NHS hospitals or used solely for the operation of an NHS hospital.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in implementing the Act, and any increases in sums payable under other Acts as a result of this Act, will be paid out of money provided by Parliament. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• NHS Hospitals: Will no longer charge for car parking and will be exempt from business rates, potentially impacting their finances.
• Patients and Visitors to NHS Hospitals: Will no longer have to pay for car parking.
• Private Parking Companies: May be affected if they currently manage hospital parking under contract.
• Local Authorities: Will receive less revenue from business rates from NHS hospitals.
• UK Government: Will be responsible for covering the costs associated with the abolition of parking charges and the loss of business rates revenue.

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