Brian Whittle MSP has criticised the Scottish Government for their decision to give local authorities the power to charge businesses an unlimited levy for each parking space they have.
Businesses in turn can choose to pass that bill onto employees. The South Scotland MSP accused the SNP hitting businesses and staff with more financial pressures in the midst of a pandemic recovery and growing cost of living crisis.
The Scottish Conservative MSP’s comments came after his party led a debate and vote in the Scottish Parliament calling for the proposals to be scrapped.
However, the SNP/ Green coalition rejected the calls and will press ahead with plans to let councils charge as much as they want to businesses across Scotland.
SNP-led councils in Glasgow and Edinburgh have already indicated they will introduce the tax.
Several business organisations including the Scottish Retail Consortium, the Scottish Chamber of Commerce and even the International Council of Police Representative Associations had all urged the Scottish Government to think again, but their pleas were rejected.
Brian, who is firmly opposed to the tax, echoed the assurance given by party leader Douglas Ross that no Scottish Conservative-led council would introduce the tax.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Any council that imposes a workplace parking tax is hitting hard pressed businesses and their staff at the worst possible time.
That the SNP/ Green coalition to introduce this policy now shows just how utterly detached they are from the realities of people living in Scotland. With businesses trying to rebuild from the pandemic and household budgets under intense pressure it’s incredible that they believe now is the right time for this new tax.
Councils across Scotland can now place a punishing charge on motorists who drive to work, even if they have no alternative, and it’s already clear that SNP councils will be leading the way on hitting businesses and drivers.
I’m glad the Scottish Conservatives have committed never to implement it in any council they lead and will instead focus on protecting jobs and growing the economy.”
