The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock is giving immediate financial backing for all NHS Trusts to provide free car parking to NHS staff for the duration of coronavirus.
The announcement comes as the Local Government Secretary has agreed local councils will also offer free car parking to all NHS workers and social care staff during the outbreak.
Matt Hancock says: “My enormous gratitude goes out to the many NHS Trusts and other organisations already providing free car parking and I urge other Trusts to do the same with our backing.”
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens adds: “Free parking will make a big difference for hundreds of thousands of frontline staff, but this is just the start, and we will be setting out further support offers over the coming days and weeks, to ensure the NHS looks after those who look after all of us.”
Following an incredible response from volunteers and retired NHS staff coming forwards to work on the frontline, some hospitals may also require additional car parking capacity.
Under new measures agreed by Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, all councils in England and the Local Government Association critical key workers will also be able to use council parking bays without time restriction or charge.
The changes will apply to all on-street parking and open, council-run car parks including pay and display and will suspend charges for health workers, social care workers and NHS volunteers.
Councils will set up local arrangements so NHS and care workers and volunteers can provide suitable evidence that they can display in their windscreen to ensure they avoid parking tickets.
Many councils have already suspended parking charges for key workers as part of the national effort to tackle coronavirus.
Local councils will continue to carry out crucial parking enforcement locally to ensure the public are kept safe and that the roads remain clear for emergency and essential services.
The National Car Parking Group has also confirmed it will provide NHS staff free parking at all 150 of its car parks in England. Additionally, ministers are urging all businesses and other organisations located near hospitals to work with their local NHS Trusts to consider allowing NHS staff to use their car parks.
