The UK government will cover the costs of providing free car parking to NHS staff working in hospitals during the coronavirus outbreak, the health secretary has pledged.
The announcement comes as the local government secretary agreed that local councils will also offer free car parking to all NHS workers and social care staff during this time.
Health secretary, Matt Hancock, said: “Our NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time.
“So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England.”
NHS Trusts are responsible for setting car parking charges locally, and the Hancock has urged all Trusts to immediately make use of government funding to abolish parking charges for their staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHS chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, added: “Free parking will make a big difference for hundreds of thousands of frontline staff, but this is just the start, and we will setting out further support offers over the coming days and weeks, to ensure the NHS looks after those who look after all of us.”
Under new measures agreed by local government secretary Robert Jenrick, 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 parking enforcement locally to ensure that roads remain clear for emergency and essential services.
The National Car Parking Group also confirmed that is will provide NHS staff free parking at all 150 of its car parks in England.
Ministers are also urging all businesses and other organisations located near hospitals to work with their local NHS Trusts to consider allowing NHS staff use their car parks.
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