Government car parking charges 'could cost firms billions'
09-02-2009
The government has been urged to scrap a new law which could see employers foot the bill for staff car parking spaces.
Under the new workplace parking levy scheme, firms could be hit with a £3.4 billion charge.
In turn, this could mean that employers pass the bill on to their workers, charging up to £350 a year to park at work if councils apply to enforce the law.
Nottingham City Council has been one of the first in the UK to apply for the charge and a final decision from transport secretary Geoff Hoon is expected after March.
The British Chambers of Commerce claimed that the plans are a stealth tax on struggling workers.
Many commuters in London were unable to get to work at the beginning of last week as the snow and bad weather saw the city's bus services cancelled.