TEACHERS, police officers and other non-NHS public sector workers will not get an automatic exemption from Scotland’s new parking tax.
Despite extensive lobbying and calls from the opposition parties, only hospitals, GPs practices and hospices will definitely escape the working parking levy (WPL), it has emerged.
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However local authorities which choose to introduce the anti-congestion charge will have the option to set their own exemptions for workers.
The details emerged when the Scottish Greens published 13 pages of amendments to the Transport Bill currently going Holyrood which would give councils WPL powers.
The controversial plan follows an SNP-Green deal on the budget.
The Tories, Labour and LibDems oppose the charge, which they say could penalise the poor and those lacking public transport. Retailers and business leaders have also criticised it.
Nottingham, the only UK council so far to set a WPL, charges employers with 10 or more spaces £415 a year to licence each one, but the bill rises to £500 if they pass on the cost to staff.
The proposed Scottish scheme is intended to be flexible, allowing councils to set a WPL for specific areas, days, times and workplaces, and to create their own exemptions.
The net revenues raised must be spent on local transport plans.
Tabling the amendments, Green MSP John Finnie urged the other parties to back the WPL as part of efforts to address the “climate emergency” and cut carbon emissions.
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He said: “There has been a welcome change in emphasis in recent weeks with the other political parties responding to the youth climate strikers and Extinction Rebellion protests by focussing much more on the climate emergency. If these other parties expect their words to be taken seriously, however, they must back them up with actions.
“My amendment will allow councils to implement a workplace parking levy in our most polluted cities.
“It is remarkable that parties who talk so often of the precious Union, are the ones who are happy to see English councils enjoy greater powers that their Scottish counterparts.
“The evidence shows that thousands die annually as a result of poor quality air.”
Holyrood’s connectivity committee also announced an online survey to gauge public opinion on the WPL, which will run until May 20.
Committee convener Edward Mountain said: “Giving councils this additional power could result in extra financial costs to businesses, public bodies and individual commuters.
“It would also give local authorities who wish to discourage commuting by car an extra tool to achieve this.
“While we know that the idea has divided opinion across Scotland, to help MSPs properly consider this proposal, we want to hear from as many people as possible.
“Please let us know what you think about the workplace parking levy by visiting www.parliament.scot/WorkplaceParkingSurvey.”
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