Overview

This bill aims to abolish car parking charges at NHS hospitals in England and exempt NHS hospitals from business rates. It mandates the Secretary of State to ensure that no charges are levied on patients and visitors for parking, and introduces an exemption from non-domestic rates for NHS hospitals.

Description

Abolition of Parking Charges

The bill makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that NHS hospitals in England do not charge patients and visitors for car parking. Existing charges must be abolished within three months of the bill passing, except where contractual obligations with third-party parking providers exist. In such cases, charges must cease at the contract's conclusion or next review, whichever is sooner. The bill prohibits future charges, except under the same contractual circumstances.

Exemption from Business Rates

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

Other Provisions

The Secretary of State must report to Parliament within 15 months on the implementation of the parking charge abolition. The bill defines key terms like "health care providers" and "NHS hospital," and specifies its extent (England and Wales) and commencement date (two months after passage).

Government Spending

The bill will likely increase government spending as the revenue generated from hospital parking charges will be lost. The exact cost is difficult to determine without a detailed analysis of current parking charge revenue across all NHS hospitals. Additionally, the loss of business rate revenue will need to be offset by other means.

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 face increased financial burden.
• Private parking companies contracted by NHS hospitals: May experience a loss of income if their contracts are not renewed or amended.
• Local authorities: Will lose revenue from business rates previously paid by NHS hospitals.
• The UK Government: Will need to cover the increased costs associated with the abolition of parking charges and the loss of business rate revenue.

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