The SNP run a minority government in Scotland which means that that they have to get the support of at least one other party for major legislation where there is failure to reach agreement. For example, the 2019 budget was SNP led but “adjusted” with the support of the Green Party so that it could get through.
One of the concessions that the SNP’s Finance Minister made as part of this adjustment was the Green’s demand to amend the Transport (Scotland) Bill and introduce a “Workplace Parking Levy”. The provider of the car parking place e.g. an employer, will have to hold / buy a license from the local authority at a charge per parking space. The employer may choose to absorb this cost or pass it onto the worker.
The important thing for the Greens is that the fact there is a charge will incentivise the employer to offer environmentally-friendly schemes such as cycle to work.
On the 9thof May 2019, the Greens published their 13 page amendmentto the Bill giving details of the scheme. This confirms that the type of business bought into the scope of the Workplace Parking Levy is wide but excludes NHS premises such as GPs and hospitals. Spaces at hospices are also exempt. The individuals bought into scope of the Levy applies not only to workers of the business but also visitors such as suppliers and clients. Although parking places for disabled people will be exempt.
The employer / provider of the parking place will pay the local authority for the license and they can only use the money received for the policies in the authority’s local public transport strategy.
Global Payroll Association Comment
This shows the reality of a coalition government making concessions with a small party to get through major legislation, i.e. the Scottish budget in this case. All of the main oppositions parties (the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats are opposed to the Levy).
This will have wide implications for businesses and retailers, though each local authority seems to be able operate the scheme differently in terms of the areas it will operate in and the days and times it will operate. Each local authority will also be able to include their own exceptions such as if they operate separate and green anti-congestion charge schemes.
At present, much discussion is going on in Scotland about the teachers and emergency service workers (not NHS) that seem to have been bought into this Levy, payable to the local authority by their employer. The big question is whether employers / businesses will pass this cost onto their workers.
The SNP run a minority government in Scotland which means that that they have to get the support of at least one other party for major legislation where there is failure to reach agreement. For example, the 2019 budget was SNP led but “adjusted” with the support of the Green Party so that it could get through.
One of the concessions that the SNP’s Finance Minister made as part of this adjustment was the Green’s demand to amend the Transport (Scotland) Bill and introduce a “Workplace Parking Levy”. The provider of the car parking place e.g. an employer, will have to hold / buy a license from the local authority at a charge per parking space. The employer may choose to absorb this cost or pass it onto the worker.
The important thing for the Greens is that the fact there is a charge will incentivise the employer to offer environmentally-friendly schemes such as cycle to work.
On the 9thof May 2019, the Greens published their 13 page amendmentto the Bill giving details of the scheme. This confirms that the type of business bought into the scope of the Workplace Parking Levy is wide but excludes NHS premises such as GPs and hospitals. Spaces at hospices are also exempt. The individuals bought into scope of the Levy applies not only to workers of the business but also visitors such as suppliers and clients. Although parking places for disabled people will be exempt.
The employer / provider of the parking place will pay the local authority for the license and they can only use the money received for the policies in the authority’s local public transport strategy.
Global Payroll Association Comment
This shows the reality of a coalition government making concessions with a small party to get through major legislation, i.e. the Scottish budget in this case. All of the main oppositions parties (the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats are opposed to the Levy).
This will have wide implications for businesses and retailers, though each local authority seems to be able operate the scheme differently in terms of the areas it will operate in and the days and times it will operate. Each local authority will also be able to include their own exceptions such as if they operate separate and green anti-congestion charge schemes.
At present, much discussion is going on in Scotland about the teachers and emergency service workers (not NHS) that seem to have been bought into this Levy, payable to the local authority by their employer. The big question is whether employers / businesses will pass this cost onto their workers.