Why free hospital parking isn't as good as it sounds| Peter Walker

It sounds like an inarguable idea – indeed the Daily Mirror and Jeremy Corbyn are in favour – but the more you look into it, the worse an idea it becomes

The Daily Mirror has an illustrious history of campaigning, most recently helping to persuade ministers to enact an opt-out system for organ donation in England, as already existed in Scotland and Wales. But I’m afraid their latest crusade is a mistake.

Backed by, among others, trade unions and Jeremy Corbyn – for whom it is official Labour policy – the paper seeks the abolition of all parking charges at NHS hospitals in England, for patients, visitors and staff.

Free parking is fundamentally regressive, a subsidy to people who tend to be richer than average

Related: NHS hospitals made £174m from car park charges this year

Related: £2,000 a year: why parking fees are taxing for NHS nurses

Continue reading... January 02, 2018 at 01:30PM