Motoring fees 'to stay' in NHS car parks

Relatives and friends of those in UK hospitals will have to continue paying motoring fees to stay in trust car parks, with shadow health secretary Andy Burnham noting that those affected will be disappointed.

Last year, Mr Burnham pledged to remove these charges - which generate approximately £110 million each year - but now a source from the Department of Health has said that the idea itself was unaffordable.

Health minister Simon Burns remarked: "For a long time, we have been unconvinced that Labour's car parking idea was properly funded and practical."

In response, Mr Burnham stated that such fees mean it is harder for people to make hospital visits, while Ciaran Devane of Macmillan Cancer Support described the charges as an "unjust tax on illness".

However, while motorists may be keen to avoid paying car park charges, it would seem that they are eager for tighter driving regulations to be implemented, with an Admiral study indicating that 75 per cent believe the legal age for learning to drive should be higher than 17.

Posted by Mark Cunningham ADNFCR-2353-ID-800062298-ADNFCR

13/09/2010 13:37

News category: Motoring

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