Overview

This bill aims to abolish all car parking charges at NHS hospitals in England. It makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that no charges are levied on patients, staff, or visitors, and sets out a timeframe for existing charges to be removed.

Description

The Hospital Car Parking Charges (Abolition) Bill mandates the abolition of all NHS hospital car parking charges in England. Key aspects include:

• Secretary of State's Duty: The Secretary of State is legally obligated to ensure NHS hospitals cease charging for parking.
• Immediate Action: NHS trusts and other relevant bodies must abolish existing charges within three months of the bill's passage, with exceptions for pre-existing contracts.
• Future Prohibition: The bill prohibits future introduction of parking charges, except in specific contracted circumstances.
• Contractual Obligations: Existing contracts outsourcing parking management are allowed to continue until their conclusion or next review, whichever comes first.
• Parking Provision: The bill does not require a reduction or removal of existing parking spaces.
• Reporting Requirement: A report on the implementation of the act will be published within 15 months of its passage.

Government Spending

The bill will likely result in increased government spending to cover the costs of free car parking at NHS hospitals. Precise figures are not provided in the bill itself but would depend on the number of spaces and their usage at each hospital.

Groups Affected

• Patients: Will benefit from free parking, reducing financial burden during potentially stressful times.
• Staff: Will benefit from free parking, saving money on commuting costs.
• Visitors: Will benefit from free parking, making hospital visits more affordable.
• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts: Will face increased operational costs due to loss of parking revenue.
• Private Parking Companies: May experience loss of income from contracts with NHS trusts.
• The UK Government: Will bear the increased cost of providing free parking.

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