Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP for Torfaen, has welcomed the Labour Government’s consultation that will protect motorists with plans to raise standards across the private parking industry unveiled through a new strengthened Private Parking Code of Practice.
Motorists, families, and private parking operators are set to benefit from improved standards, as a consultation on a new Private Parking Code of Practice is launched.
Over 35 million people across the UK rely on their cars for everyday life – from commuting to caring responsibilities – but the fear of being hit with unfair parking charges has eroded trust between drivers and some operators.
To better support drivers in vulnerable or stressful situations, such as attending hospital appointments, a new rule is being considered that would uphold appeals where motorists had no reasonable choice but to breach parking terms.
Proposals will ensure fair treatment for motorists and introduce common-sense standards across the industry, including clear signage and mandatory grace periods. These measures will help prevent charges caused by issues like payment machine errors, accidental typos, or poor mobile signal.
Previous Governments have tried to legislate but never succeeded. The Parking Act 2019 was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill in 2017, and the previous government’s Private Parking Code of Practice was laid in 2022 but withdrawn later that year following a legal challenge from the parking industry. The Conservatives ran a Call for Evidence in 2023 but never followed through with consultation.
Alex Norris, Minister for Local Growth, said: “We inherited a dysfunctional private
parking market that has lacked crucial transparency and protection for motorists,
leading to unfair and unjustified charges.
“Parliament legislated for a legally binding Code of Practice six years ago with cross-party support but the four previous administrations all failed to implement it. Where they failed, we are determined to act.
“That is why we are working at pace to drive up standards by bringing forward a stronger,
more robust legal Private Parking Code of Practice.”
Welcoming the consultation, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: “Too many of my constituents in Torfaen have been ripped off by rogue parking operators who make it difficult for motorists to comply with the terms and conditions and leave them open to parking charges and escalating costs.
“Labour is acting to change that.”
Protecting motorists and holding operators to account. The number of parking charges issued is at a record high –12.8 million vehicle keeper requests were made last year, a 673% increase since 2012. While this partly reflects more parking spaces, the current system lacks independent oversight and sufficient transparency.
At present, operators can avoid sanctions for poor practice, leaving motorists vulnerable to unfair or incorrect charges. The new compliance framework will ensure accountability. Under proposals, operators who breach the Code may lose access to DVLA data required to issue parking charges.
The Code will strike a balance—protecting motorists while enabling compliant operators to run efficient, value-for-money car parks.
The eight-week consultation also seeks views on:
• Appropriate caps for parking charges and debt recovery fees
• Improvements to second-stage appeals
• Requirements for operators to share data with government to inform future updates to the Code
The consultation is open until September 5th and is available here.