Labour pledges crackdown on unfair private parking charges in new consultation

Sunday, 3 August 2025 22:56

By David Murphy

Elsie Blundell MP says plans will support motorists and raise industry standards

Motorists across Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton could soon benefit from tighter rules on private parking firms, as the Labour Government launches a consultation aimed at protecting drivers from unjust charges.

Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North, has welcomed the announcement, saying it reflects local concerns. “I have been listening to residents who get in touch with me who are upset about unfair parking charges they have received,” she said. “It’s clear the rules need to change to protect motorists and rogue private parking operators need to be held to account.”

The consultation proposes a new legal Private Parking Code of Practice to regulate the private parking industry more effectively. The code includes plans for clearer signage, mandatory grace periods, and better protections for drivers who face unavoidable circumstances, such as hospital visits or broken ticket machines.

One proposed change would give drivers stronger grounds to appeal if they had no realistic option but to breach parking terms; for example, during a medical emergency.

According to government data, over 12.8 million vehicle keeper requests were made by private parking firms last year alone; a 673% increase since 2012. Ministers say this highlights a lack of accountability in the current system and a growing public frustration over charges many feel are unfair or excessive.

Previous attempts to reform the system have stalled. The Parking Act 2019 was passed by Parliament but never fully implemented. A version of the code introduced in 2022 was later withdrawn after legal action from within the parking industry.

Labour's new plan includes enforcement powers to strip non-compliant operators of access to DVLA data, which is required to issue charges to vehicle owners.

Alex Norris MP, Minister for Local Growth, said: “We inherited a dysfunctional private parking market that has lacked crucial transparency and protection for motorists. Where previous governments failed, we are determined to act.”

The consultation will also explore:

Setting appropriate limits on parking charges and debt recovery fees
Improving the second-stage appeals process
Requiring operators to share more data with the government

It forms part of wider efforts to support drivers, including £1.6 billion in road maintenance funding this year to help fix potholes, and £24 billion earmarked for new road infrastructure over the next five years.

The consultation is open to the public until 5 September 2025, and can be accessed via: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/private-parking-code-of-practice

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