Scottish Greens Environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP accuses Tory, Labour and Lib Dem MSPs of duplicity, claiming their opposition to the devolution of workplace parking levy powers to councils was largely borne out of self interest.
In the recent Scottish budget the Scottish Government gave the power to all 32 councils in Scotland to impose a workplace parking levy – if they wish to. The only place in the UK where there is such a tax is Nottingham where they have imposed it on employers with more than 10 spaces. Typically each space costs around £400, and although the fear is that some employers might choose to pass on the charge to their staff, it does not appear to have happened in England. Tories in particular have taken up the campaign against the levy, even in Aberdeenshire where the party is in charge of the council and so would presumably not impose it.
Mr Ruskell made the claims after obtaining figures from the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body showing that MSPs from the three parties use the Holyrood car park substantially more than others.
The figures reveal that over a four-week period commencing 7 January 2019, 64 MSPs used the car park at least once.
Over the period 74% of Tory, 61% of Labour, and 60% of Lib Dem MSPs brought their car to parliament.
This compares to 37% of SNP MSPs.
No Green MSPs used the car park.
Mark Ruskell MSP said: “Over a thousand people walk, cycle, get the bus, and train to Holyrood everyday while the majority of Tory, Labour and LibDem MSPs hog the car park.
“Having access to a free city centre car parking space is a privilege that is unavailable to most hard-working families. Some MSPs need to look beyond their own windscreens and support measures that invest in public transport options for all.”
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