Paying to go to work

In a bid to boost income as NHS trusts across the country scramble to offset deficits, already low- paid staff must bear the brunt of cuts yet again – this time by paying to go to work.

In an increasingly common phenomenon, trusts in England have imposed car parking charges on their staff, whether or not they are essential car users.

Most recently, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust has levied extortionate staff parking charges. From July 1, staff—including health visitors and school and community nurses who have no choice but to use their car for work – must pay £1.20 an hour or £12 a month to park their vehicles.

Unite regional officer Martin Wright said: “What South Tyneside management is doing is immoral. It is recycling NHS money from staff already hit by reduced mileage payments, increased pension and national insurance contributions, and with many receiving no pay increase this year.”

Since 2008, Scotland and Wales have implemented a centrally proscribed abolition on NHS car parking charges, whereas in England and Northern Ireland, parking charges are a decision left to local trusts.

Last week, Royal Cornwall Hospital staff, who were already being charged to park their cars, saw parking fees skyrocket to over £300 a year, which would amount to a 1,000 per cent increase for some of the hospital’s workers.

East Lancashire NHS Trust staff have likewise seen a hike to already hefty parking charges, from ÂŁ9.60 a month to ÂŁ13.50. This rise was the first increase on staff parking charges since 2006.

Unite national officer for health Barrie Brown said: “Unite policy is that there should be parity across the UK. Scotland and Wales don’t charge their NHS staff for coming to work and this should be the policy in England and Northern Ireland.

“Obviously, it is particularly difficult and unfair if you are an essential car user who needs to get out and about to see patients and clients – and don’t have a choice whether to drive to work or use public transport.”

Wright added: “There are very few other public servants who have to pay for the privilege of parking at work, but definitely even fewer who are essential car users. There would be an outcry if teachers had to pay to park at school or police officers at police stations.”