Perth SNP rules out levy on car parking at workplace

THE SNP-led Perth and Kinross Council has announced it will not introduce the workplace parking levy over its fiveyear council term.

The controversial scheme – allowing individual councils to decide whether or not to levy employers who provide parking for employees – came into effect on March 4 this year.

The national scheme was agreed by the Scottish Government as part of a 2019 budget deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens.

Prior to the May 2022 local elections the council had been led by the Scottish Conservatives.

The party’s leader Douglas Ross told the Scottish Parliament in February no Conservativeled council would introduce the levy. He was later accused of hypocrisy having championed it when he was a Moray councillor.

Following the local election the SNP took the helm of Perth and Kinross Council.

And, despite what Councillor Grant Laing called “mischief making from opposition politicians during the election”, the SNP administration will not introduce the levy.

The Strathtay councillor said: “I am pleased to rule out the introduction of a workplace parking levy in Perth and Kinross, should the SNP remain in administration during this five-year council term.

“We welcome any commitments from the Scottish Government which allow taxation to be collected and spent locally, but after careful consideration, we have concluded that the workplace parking levy will not be introduced in Perth and Kinross.

“We remain committed to making it easier for people to travel to work via more sustainable and greener options, while simultaneously relieving cost pressures for workers who are already feeling the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis.

“I know this will be a relief for the people of Perth and Kinross, and I look forward to working with our partners to press on with our green transport strategy.”