Drivers may be forced to pay £288 a year just to park at work under 'stealth tax'

Published 02nd Apr 2012

Drivers could be forced to pay £288 a year just to park their cars at work as a new 'stealth tax' stalks employees across Britain.

The levy was launched yesterday by Nottingham City Council and could be rolled out nationwide, affecting thousands of offices.

Firms will now have to pay the heavy fee for each parking space they provide if they offer more than ten to their staff.

The scheme could cost businesses £3.4billion if it is brought in across the UK, leaving motoring groups fearing that the charge will be passed on to workers.

It is hoped that the news will be an added incentive for employees to use public transport - but the AA has labelled the charges a 'tax on work', according to the Daily Express.

The blow comes at a time when motorists are facing crippling petrol prices and chaos on the forecourts amid fears of a national strike.

AA president Edmund King said yesterday: 'Employers and employees already pay vehicle excise duty, fuel duty, company car tax and income tax.

'The Government believes "Britain is open for business" but this additional tax on work suggest that Nottingham is not open for business.

'This damaging tax on work should be stopped – it will hurt the economy and hit employees who can’t afford it.'

Three-quarters of 19,000 AA members polled said the fees were a bad idea and should be scrapped, while 84 per cent agreed it was just 'another way of taxing people who work'.

The British Chamber of Commerce branded the charges a 'stealth tax' for already struggling workers.

Bristol City Council could be next to adopt the parking levy.

Mr King wrote to Transport Secretary Justine Greening to warn that employers may leave Nottingham and that some workers have threatened to strike.

He added that companies facing large penalties would also view the 'disappointing' move as another example of bureaucracy.

Source: ' ThisIsMoney '

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