Andy Burnham outlines new rules to outlaw ‘rip-off’ private parking fines
Under new rules proposed by Andy Burnham, drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales will have a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and ten minutes to leave after their session ends before facing a fine, aimed at curbing 'rip-off' private parking charges. These changes are part of a broader effort to address rising concerns over unfair parking practices. However, consumer group Which? criticized the measures as insufficient, noting that the government has not introduced a lower maximum fine, sticking with the current £100 limit, and has avoided creating an independent appeals process. The new code of practice, set to be introduced in Parliament, includes provisions for scrapping fines in cases of honest mistakes, such as brief stops for directions or emergencies, while smaller errors like forgotten permits would incur a maximum £20 charge. Critics argue that these reforms still fail to adequately protect drivers from exploitative practices.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced new rules aimed at curbing what he described as "rip-off" private parking charges, granting drivers additional rights to challenge unfair fines. Under the proposed private parking code of practice, motorists in England, Scotland, and Wales will be given a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park upon arriving at a car park. Additionally, they will have a 10-minute grace period to exit after their paid session ends without facing a penalty. The new code includes provisions for the cancellation of charges for honest mistakes, such as stopping briefly to check directions, or for unforeseen circumstances like medical emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, or malfunctioning ticket machines. For minor errors, such as mistyping a vehicle registration or forgetting to confirm details at a ticket machine, the maximum charge on appeal will be limited to £20. The government stated that the maximum parking charge will remain at £100, aligning with the current private parking code of practice. However, private parking operators that fail to comply with the new rules risk losing access to DVLA data, which contains the personal details of vehicle owners. This could significantly hinder their ability to issue and enforce parking fines. The announcement follows a surge in private parking tickets issued by companies. According to recent data analyzed by the Press Association and the RAC Foundation, private firms issued a record 16.9 million parking tickets in the year ending March 2026, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year. Burnham emphasized that the new regulations aim to ensure that minor infractions, such as being slightly late returning to a car or entering the wrong registration number, do not result in substantial fines. He stated, "These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I'm putting a stop to them." Reactions to the new code have varied. While some organizations, such as the AA, welcomed the move as a step toward protecting drivers from aggressive private parking operators, others expressed disappointment. The RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, noted that the code does not fully meet the organization's demands, particularly regarding the elimination of debt recovery fees and the establishment of a single independent appeals body. The government has committed to consulting on the issue of debt recovery fees, which are currently capped at £70. This consultation is expected to take place as soon as possible next year. The new code will apply to private car parks across England, Scotland, and Wales, providing a framework for greater transparency and accountability in the sector. The implementation of the new code is scheduled to begin on 21 December, following its introduction to Parliament. The effectiveness of the new rules will depend on enforcement mechanisms and compliance by private parking operators. As the code takes shape, its impact on reducing unfair parking charges and improving the experience of drivers remains to be seen.
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The UK government has announced new measures aimed at protecting motorists from unfair private parking charges. These include a five-minute decision period upon arrival, a 10-minute grace period after paid sessions end, and capping penalties at £100. Drivers will also be able to appeal for genuine mistakes, such as brief stops to check directions or vehicle issues, with a maximum appeal charge of £20. The reforms aim to address concerns about 'rip-off' charges and reduce the financial burden on drivers. Private parking firms will now need to report issued charges and appeals to an independent oversight board, and the government is considering changes to debt recovery fees. While welcomed by some, critics argue the reforms fall short of addressing all concerns.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's new policies on private parking charges in a balanced manner, quoting both government officials and industry representatives. It does not exhibit strong ideological bias but rather provides a factual overview of the proposed changes and their implications.
The UK government, led by Andy Burnham, has introduced new measures aimed at reducing unfair private parking charges. Under the proposed code of practice, motorists in England, Scotland, and Wales will be granted additional time, five minutes to decide whether to park and ten minutes to exit without penalties after their session ends. These changes include provisions to allow appeals for honest mistakes, such as brief stops for directions, medical emergencies, or technical issues like malfunctioning ticket machines. The government aims to cap charges for minor errors at £20 upon appeal. According to the RAC, over 16.9 million parking tickets were issued by private companies in the previous financial year, marking a 17% increase. Officials argue these reforms will prevent drivers from being unfairly fined for minor infractions and address concerns about deceptive practices by some private parking operators.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's proposal to reform private parking charges in a balanced manner, highlighting both the new rules and the criticisms from organizations like The AA. There is no overtly biased language or selective sourcing that would indicate a clear ideological lean. The focus,
The UK government has announced new measures aimed at protecting motorists from unfair private parking charges. These include a five-minute decision period upon arrival, a 10-minute grace period after paid sessions end, and caps on appeal charges for minor errors. Drivers can now dispute charges for genuine mistakes, such as checking directions or vehicle issues, with a maximum appeal fee of £20. The reforms also introduce a £100 limit on penalties and require private parking firms to report to an independent oversight board. The changes apply across England, Scotland, and Wales, and the government is considering further reductions or elimination of debt recovery fees.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's new regulations as a balanced effort to address concerns about unfair parking charges. It includes quotes from both government officials and critics, providing a comprehensive overview of the policy and its implications without overtly favoring any side.
Under new rules proposed by Andy Burnham, drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales will have a guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and ten minutes to leave after their session ends before facing a fine, aimed at curbing 'rip-off' private parking charges. These changes are part of a broader effort to address rising concerns over unfair parking practices. However, consumer group Which? criticized the measures as insufficient, noting that the government has not introduced a lower maximum fine, sticking with the current £100 limit, and has avoided creating an independent appeals process. The new code of practice, set to be introduced in Parliament, includes provisions for scrapping fines in cases of honest mistakes, such as brief stops for directions or emergencies, while smaller errors like forgotten permits would incur a maximum £20 charge. Critics argue that these reforms still fail to adequately protect drivers from exploitative practices.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the government's proposed measures and criticisms from consumer groups like Which?, offering a balanced view of the debate around private parking regulations. It does not exhibit strong ideological bias, instead focusing on the contentions between policymakers and advocacy.
Under new rules proposed by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, drivers will gain greater protections against perceived unfairness in private parking charges. These measures include allowing a 5-minute grace period to decide to park, a 10-minute window to exit without penalty, and cancellation of charges for uncontrollable issues like vehicle breakdowns or medical emergencies. Maximum charges for certain errors, such as incorrect license plate entry, will be capped at £20 on appeal, while the overall maximum charge remains frozen at £100. Non-compliant operators may lose access to DVLA data, complicating enforcement. Private parking firms issued over 17 million tickets in 2025/2026, with daily totals potentially exceeding £4.6 million. The British Parking Association supports the reforms but notes challenges remain.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's proposed changes to private parking regulations in a balanced manner, quoting both the Prime Minister and critics like the RAC and AA. There is no overtly biased language, and the framing appears neutral, focusing on the policy itself rather than taking sides in
Andy Burnham, a UK government official, has introduced a new Private Parking Code of Practice aimed at protecting drivers from unfair parking charges. Key provisions include a 10-minute grace period after a parking session ends and five minutes upon arrival to decide whether to park. These rules apply to private car parks managed by companies like those at supermarkets, retail parks, and gyms. The changes come amid rising concerns over excessive private parking fines, with over 16.9 million tickets issued in the past year, more than double the figure from 2018-19. Drivers will now have the option to appeal unfair charges through a new independent process if they believe they qualify under the new guidelines.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the new parking regulations as a balanced update to existing practices, emphasizing fairness for drivers while acknowledging the role of private sector self-regulation. It does not favor any particular political ideology but focuses on procedural changes and consumer protection.
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