The UK Government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, announces new rules for private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales aimed at reducing “rip-off” or unfair parking charges. Under the proposals, drivers get a guaranteed short period to decide whether to park and additional time to leave before a penalty applies.
According to multiple outlets, motorists would have five minutes after arrival to decide whether to park without being immediately at risk of a charge. They would then be allowed 10 minutes after their parking session ends to leave without facing a penalty. The rules are set out in a new official code of practice for the private parking industry.
While the coverage is broadly aligned on the grace periods, outlets also emphasize that the measures are intended to improve consumer protections and make it easier to challenge unreasonable charges. One outlet additionally reports a monetary protection, describing a cap of £20 for certain mistakes, though other reports focus more on the timing and dispute protections. The proposals are presented as part of broader cost-of-living and consumer “everyday fixes.”
