Council pop at those imposing levy
STEPHEN BARK
Local councillors have taken aim at neighbouring Glasgow City Council for their support of a workplace parking levy.
Last week, political groups in South Lanarkshire ruled out introducing the charge in the region.
However, commuters from Rutherglen to Cambuslang, East Kilbride and Hamilton could still be forced to pay for parking at work if the levy is introduced in Glasgow.
Labour group leader Councillor Joe Fagan (East Kilbride Central North) added said he was concerned that nearby councils could choose to introduce the parking levy, saying this would place Lanarkshire commuters “at a disadvantage”.
He added: “If public transport were better then the levy might help people make a modal shift from taking the car to the train or the bus. Unfortunately ScotRail is a shambles and the number of bus passenger journeys is at a record low.
“A workplace parking levy when public transport is in such a state is little more than a regressive tax on working people, hitting shift workers and the low paid hardest.”
Glasgow’s city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, Councillor Anna Richardson, said: “There are benefits to a non-residential parking levy, such as encouraging a switch towards more sustainable transport, a reduction in congestion and emissions, as well as the creation of funding for major transport improvement schemes.
“Glasgow City Council supports the introduction of a non-residential car parking levy in principle.
“Although the parking levy provision has now passed into law, public consultation will always be integral to the development of our own policy on this issue.”
Hamilton West and Earnock’s Lib Dem councillor Mark McGeever claimed the tax would impact the lowest earners most.
He said: “The SNP’s workplace parking levy is an unfair tax that will see low and middle earners hit hardest.
“Many people need the car to get to work or as part of their job. With no alternative but to drive, these workers do not deserve to have their wages raided.
“Even if South Lanarkshire Council doesn’t bring in a levy here, countless of our residents will still be hit because they work in Glasgow or another council area.”
Conservative councillor for Rutherglen Central and North, Jared Wark, added: “This car park tax is a tax on jobs – which will likely cost workers £500 just to park at their place of work.
“It is likely to hurt families as parents who require their car in dropping their kids off at school as part of their morning commute. For many people, switching from driving their car to getting public transport is just not a realistic option.
“This hated tax will hit the poorest hardest. The SNP have put their budget deal with the Greens ahead of the people of Scotland.
“This new levy would increase the basic rate of tax paid by a worker on the Real Living Wage from 20p in the pound, up to 30p. Those that will not be exempt include teachers, police officers, prison staff, fire and social care workers.
“The SNP minority administration in Glasgow – supported by the Greens – are likely to implement the car park tax. This would affect many people living in Rutherglen who commute to Glasgow.”
The SNP group in South Lanarkshire declined to comment.
Parking levy is an unfair tax that will see low and middle earners hit hardest