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 that no charges are levied on patients and visitors for parking, and requires NHS Trusts to implement this change within three months of the bill passing.

Description

Abolition of Parking Charges

The bill makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure NHS hospitals in England do not charge patients and visitors for parking. Existing charges must be abolished within three months of the bill becoming law, with exceptions for pre-existing contracts, which must be addressed at their next review or conclusion. Future charges are also prohibited.

Business Rates Exemption

The bill amends the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to exempt NHS hospitals from paying local non-domestic rates. This exemption applies to buildings used solely as hospitals or in connection with hospital operation.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of State must report to Parliament within 15 months of the bill's passage on the number of hospitals that have abolished charges and those still under contract to charge, including contract expiry dates.

Government Spending

The bill will require government funding to cover any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in implementing the changes and any increases in sums payable under other Acts as a result of this legislation. Specific figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Patients and visitors to NHS hospitals in England: Will benefit from the abolition of parking charges.
• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts: Will be responsible for implementing the changes and may experience increased costs.
• Local authorities: Will lose revenue from business rates previously paid by NHS hospitals.
• Private companies managing hospital parking: May be affected by the termination of existing contracts.

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