Businesses could be fined tens of thousands under car park tax plans

14 Feb 2019

Businesses could be fined tens of thousands of pounds under the SNP’s plan to tax people who drive to work.

Firms who don’t comply with the controversial levy could be hammered for up to £207.50 for every day if they are deemed to be in breach of the hated policy.

The idea – which was included in finance secretary Derek Mackay’s budget earlier this month – is based on a similar project in Nottingham.

It is understood the tax could amount to around £500 per day for employees, and £415 per day for employers.

But it has now emerged that guidelines have stated businesses would receive huge fines for not complying.

They state: “Where any workplace parking is being provided at premises without a licence, or the licence does not cover all the workplace parking spaces, the Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will be for 50 per cent of the annual charge per unlicensed place for each day a contravention occurs.”

Companies and motoring groups have hit out at the SNP plans, pointing out they are unfair on motorists, particularly those who have no choice but to drive to work.

Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:

“This crazy plan will land businesses and workers with huge costs which are simply unaffordable, especially in this climate.

“Now we learn any firms which don’t comply to the letter could be slapped with fines of hundreds or indeed thousands of pounds per day.

“It’s yet more evidence that this scheme should be dropped at once.

“It’s bitterly unfair on the thousands of workers across Scotland who have no choice but to take their car to work.

“The SNP is making life hard enough for businesses in Scotland to thrive – this latest tax raid will only compound that misery.”