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 provides for a report on progress within 15 months of the bill's passage.

Description

This bill focuses on two key areas:

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. Healthcare providers (including NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts) must cease charging within three months of the bill becoming law, with exceptions for existing contracts. These contracts must be reviewed or ended to eliminate charges as soon as possible. Future charges are also prohibited.

Exemption from Business Rates

The bill amends the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to exempt NHS hospitals in England from paying business rates. This exemption applies to the entire hospital building or any part used solely for hospital operations.

Government Spending

The bill will increase government spending by covering the cost of free parking at NHS hospitals and eliminating business rates paid by NHS hospitals. Exact figures are not provided within the bill itself. The impact on government finances will depend on the number of hospitals affected and the current level of parking charges and business rates paid.

Groups Affected

• Patients and visitors to NHS hospitals in England: Will benefit from free parking.
• NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts: Will be responsible for implementing the changes and may face increased operational costs.
• Private companies managing hospital parking: May be affected by the termination of contracts.
• Local authorities: Will lose revenue from business rates collected from NHS hospitals.
• The UK Government: Will experience increased expenditure due to lost revenue from business rates and covering the cost of free parking.

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