New bid to scrap NHS parking fees

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock is facing new calls to abolish rip- off parking charges at NHS hospitals.

MPs are set to launch a bid to outlaw the hefty fees in a crucial vote later this month.

It comes amid mounting anger at the huge profits made by private parking f irms employed by hospitals at a time when NHS budgets are under huge pressure.

Latest figures show that nearly half of NHS trusts raised their parking fees last year. Patients, visitors and staff paid out a total of £226million in charges and fines.

Tory Peter Bone is spearheading the new bill to ban parking charges.

He said: “If you’re visiting a relative, hospital parking should be free.”

Labour, backed by the Sunday Mirror, has pledged to ban the fees.