Yousaf hears call to exempt police from parking tax
● Fears that officers face risks if unable to park cars at work
Police Scotland could be given an exemption from a workplace parking tax amid claims it would put officers at increased risk from terrorists and organised criminals.
Justice minister Humza Yousaf told the Scottish Police Federation’s (SPF) biennial conference that he had written to Green MSP John Finnie on the issue.
The SPF has urged the Scottish Government to scrap the workplaceparkinglevy,claiming it would put its members at increased risk as they travel to and from work. Part of a budget agreement between the SNP and Greens, the muchcriticised plan would allow councils to charge employers an annual tax for every parking space they provide for employees.
SPF general secretary Calum Steele said: “Officers, on occasions, have to have escorted journeys home because of the fear they are going to be attacked or targeted by serious organised crime groups.
“If you have a parking levy that compels police officers to use predictable methods of transport where you have mass gatherings of police officers at train stations, that becomesknownandincreases the risk of officers being identified. If they are able to get into a police yard and put their vehicle behind security, that likelihood is much reduced.”
Addressing the issue during his speech to conference, Mr
0 Humza Yousaf addressed the Scottish Police Federation conference
Yousaf said: “I hear what you are saying. I’ve encouraged [John Finnie] to listen to your concerns and ideas about the possibility of exemption for police workplaces.”
Asked if the Scottish Government would bring forward its own exemption if this was not included in the Green amendment, he said he would “withhold judgment until I see the Green amendment”.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo
Fraser said: “We already knew workers and businesses hated the idea of an unfair car park tax. But this latest warning from the Scottish Police Federation takes these concerns to a completely new level.”
The conference also heard calls for those who assault police officers to be dealt with more severely. SPF chairwoman Andrea Macdonald said a person spitting on a police officer would be “highly likely to have the charge plea bargained
away”. She added: “It is commonplace for people who assault police officers to be released from custody rather than held for court.”
Mr Yousaf said: “There is a penalty of up to 12 months imprisonment and a £10,000 fine but what you are telling me very clearly is that you don’t feel that the courts are imposing that in cases where a police officer is assaulted.”