James Duddridge Local Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend
East Urges Caution over the Abolition of Hospital Car Parking Charges
Funding.
James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, spoke in the House of
Commons today regarding a motion concerning the abolition of Hospital Car Parking
Charges. The motion was proposed by Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow.
James was concerned that if Hospital Car Parking was abolished outright, funding to
the NHS would be reduced by over £162 million, as the charges support hospital
care. He thought it was important that this funding gap was raised as part of the
debate.
James said:
“I rise in trepidation, because this is a popular and, certainly at a superficial level,
well-thought-through Bill. However, if one considers it at a deeper level, one finds
that it needs to be opposed. I say from the outset, given that we are going to be here
until midnight anyway, that I do not think it would be beneficial for the House to
divide on it.
I am concerned about the funding stream. My right hon. Friend the Member for
Harlow (Robert Halfon) mentions £200 million—it is certainly more than the £162
million mentioned elsewhere—so that funding gap would need to be addressed. If
we have £162 million or £200 million extra, we would be better spending it on
hospital care rather than hospital parking.
I am concerned that capital expenditure will not be found to provide more parking
spaces. There will be no capital expenditure because there is no revenue associated
with it. I am concerned about transitional relationships. What happens in cases
where existing car parks are being built and a revenue stream is anticipated? I am
concerned that this will break the fundamental basic economics of supply and
demand: as demand increases, there will be no market mechanism to enable more
car parking spaces in the future. The Bill is a popular move—it would be popular with
my constituents—but the responsible thing to do is to say, in this House, that the
plan is flawed.”