Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) encourage local authorities to provide additional free parking close to centres of employment while restrictions on the use of public transport during the covid-19 outbreak are in place and (b) reimburse those authorities for the provision of that free parking.

In line with the Government’s position on localism, parking is the responsibility of local authorities and it is for them to determine what is appropriate in their own area. However, central government does have an interest in how car parks are managed and is working closely with local government stakeholders to keep parking policies and guidance under review during the COVID-19 response.

We have recently published guidance on Safer Public Places, which includes recommendations for the adaptation and management of urban centres and green spaces to facilitate social distancing.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884698/A4_Portrait_Content_Document_REV_H_low_res.pdf