Scottish Chambers of Commerce ramp up Workplace Parking Levy opposition

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have written to Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee ahead of a meeting on the 22nd of February, where a motion to annul the Workplace Parking Levy will be debated.

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have consistently opposed the introduction of a Workplace Parking Levy due to the additional financial burden it places on businesses and their employees.

“The business backlash to these proposals from within our membership has been substantial. Businesses are incredulous that they are facing yet more upfront business costs, just as the economy is beginning to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and employers are getting back on their feet.

“It’s also unlikely that unless employers pass the cost of the WPL on to their employees that there will be significant behavioural change, and with the unfolding cost of living crisis this is the last thing businesses want to do when they are doing all they can to attract and retain talent.

“Businesses have been unequivocal in their opposition and SCC have been inundated with correspondence from concerned businesses in both rural and urban areas, deeply concerned about the impact this uncapped levy could have on them.

“Thousands of businesses across Scotland will be hoping for an 11th hour reprieve from this damaging proposal, and for the Scottish Government to scrap the WPL altogether to support Scotland’s economic revival and renewal.”

The Scottish Government have indicated they may make a concession on the issue of the price cap as called for by SCC.

The Transport Minister, Jenny Gilruth MSP, has also written to the Committee now suggesting that Scottish Ministers could carry out an “examination of a proposal” drawn up by a councils, “which could include the amount of the licence charge”.