Found: proposals we are announcing today will deliver on the Government’s legal obligation in the Parking (Code of Practice) Act

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of inappropriate use of parent and child parking bays; and whether she plans to legislate in this area.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is aware of concerns regarding the abuse of valuable parking resources and is determined to raise standards.

For private land, the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. On 11 July, the government published a consultation document setting out its proposals for raising standards across the private parking industry.

On public land, Local Authorities are empowered to determine their parking arrangements through the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires them to ensure that parking policies meet the requirements of their local area.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to monitor compliance with consumer protection legislation by private parking companies.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is aware of concerns regarding the actions of some private parking operators and is determined to drive up standards across the sector.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

As part of this, the Government will be launching a consultation on its proposals to raise standards in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with stakeholders on the operation of private parking management and appeals systems.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to raising standards across the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government is progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and will be launching a consultation in due course.

As part of this work, my officials have regular monthly meetings with the two parking Trade Associations and quarterly meetings with motorist representatives. In addition to these regular meetings, officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.

On 9^th June, I hosted a meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views on the Code of Practice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to establish a regulator for private parking operators.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to raising standards across the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government is progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and will be launching a consultation in due course.

As part of this work, my officials have regular monthly meetings with the two parking Trade Associations and quarterly meetings with motorist representatives. In addition to these regular meetings, officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.

On 9^th June, I hosted a meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views on the Code of Practice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will instruct the DVLA to conduct an audit of car park records in instances where a pattern of disputes has been identified.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice that promotes good practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support all motorists. We will be launching a consultation in due course to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code and its accompanying enforcement framework, including our approach to scrutiny and oversight.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to commence the provisions on consumer protection in the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The purpose of the Code of Practice is therefore to raise standards in the parking sector, which will, in turn, benefit the motorists who use private parking facilities.

The Government is currently reviewing how best to raise standards in the industry, and we plan to launch a consultation on this shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether they will consider introducing a requirement for companies issuing parking tickets by post to use signed-for delivery services in order to provide proof of receipt.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is aware of concerns regarding the poor practises on some parking operators.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

We will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of local authorities that have transitioned to using private parking companies for local parking enforcement.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises that the matter of private parking enforcement of local authority land is a complex issue that affects local authorities, private operators and motorists. I can confirm that the Government is looking into this matter, and will be able to provide a definitive response in due course.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support all motorists and to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code, we will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of private parking companies on motorists in Devon.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises that the matter of private parking enforcement of local authority land is a complex issue that affects local authorities, private operators and motorists. I can confirm that the Government is looking into this matter, and will be able to provide a definitive response in due course.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support all motorists and to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code, we will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of parking enforcement companies; and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to protect consumers from their practices.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code, we will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will consider introducing protections for consumers in the new Parking Code of Practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code, we will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to re-introduce the Parking Code of Practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code, we will be launching a consultation in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to regulate private parking companies.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and will announce its plans for the new Code in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has plans to introduce a private parking code of practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

Our code will contain guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

We are currently reviewing all options and will announce our plans for the code in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will list the stated legal reasons her predecessor Department withdrew the private parking code of practice in 2022.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

The previous government introduced the Private Parking Code of Practice in February 2022 but chose to temporarily withdraw the Code following legal challenges brought by the parking industry to review its decisions to cap the levels of parking charges and debt recovery fees.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025 to Question 30336 on Parking: Regulation, for what reason a further consultation is required.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Act explains in Section 2 that the Secretary of State must consult relevant stakeholders prior to the Code’s publication. The consultation in 2021 related to a Code laid by the previous government which was later withdrawn.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with private parking firms on issuing penalty charge notices where a person has paid for parking but has made a mistake in keying in the car registration number.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

I am arranging to meet with industry representatives soon. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory private parking code of practice.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

I am arranging to meet with industry representatives soon. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to issue the latest consultation on a code of practice for parking charges and debt recovery fees.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and will announce its plans for the new Code in due course.

Found: Freedoms Act 2012, but in relation to Scotland it is as set out in section 10 (3) of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act

Found: concerns about private parking operators’ behaviour, led to the introduction of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act