Found: proposals we are announcing today will deliver on the Government’s legal obligation in the Parking (Code of Practice) Act

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of private parking scams.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is taking action to protect motorists.

The Department for Business and Trade provides annual funding to Citizens Advice to deliver general consumer information, education and to raise awareness. This includes the Annual Scams Awareness campaign which Citizens Advice run on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership.

The October 2024 campaign was focused on financial fraud, including Parking QR code scams.

Further to this, in accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently outlined its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators. This code will drive up standards across the private parking industry and protect motorists.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of regulations relating to private parking enforcement companies.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is aware of concerns about poor practice from a number of parking operators and is determined to raise standards.

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is preparing a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

The government has recently consulted on its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow. The consultation closed on 26 September, and the government will respond in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure that parking companies (a) behave appropriately towards their customers and (b) have adequate ticketing practices.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

The government launched a consultation on 11th July 2025 which outlined its proposals for raising standards and protecting motorists.

All of the responses are now being analysed and the government will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve sanction processes for private parking companies that repeatedly (a) generate upheld complaints and (b) lose appeals.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance on the operation and management of private parking facilities.

My department recently consulted on the new Code and an accompanying compliance framework for private parking companies. As part of this framework, we are developing an independent Certification Scheme to audit the parking industry’s compliance with the new Code. The scheme will operate as a third-party certification process, whereby only organisations accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service as Conformity Assessment Bodies will be able to certify private parking companies.

Parking operators who fail to comply with the Code risk losing access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data. This data includes information on vehicle keepers, so any company blocked from accessing it would be unable to pursue parking charges.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to ensure greater (a) transparency and (b) accountability in private parking enforcement.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently consulted on its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow. The consultation closed on 26 September and the government will respond in due course.

This code will better protect and support motorists whilst balancing the legitimate needs of private parking operators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to regulate (a) SMART PARKING and (b) other private parking firms.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently consulted on its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow. The consultation closed on 26 September and the government will respond in due course.

This code will better protect and support motorists whilst balancing the legitimate needs of private parking operators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of private parking firms using payment by app only on users who cannot use a mobile phone.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently consulted on its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow.

The government is aware that predominantly elderly and disabled motorists are the most likely to experience challenges when using mobile phones to pay for parking.

As part of the consultation, the government sought views on the impact its proposals would have on protected groups, as defined by the 2010 Equality Act.

The consultation closed on 26 September and the government will respond in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on the potential impact of auditing car park operator records where recurring disputes over charges have been identified on County Court caseloads.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is aware of the high volumes of small claims from the parking industry and is determined to drive up standards in the parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking. Alongside the new Code, my department is also developing a Certification Scheme which will set out rules for auditing private parking operator compliance with the Code; this will include audits of notices of parking charges including those that progress to the County Court.

The private parking industry is currently self-regulating and whilst the Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Justice Secretary on this issue, my officials have had meetings with their counterparts at the Ministry of Justice and are working together to develop a Justice Impact Test to assess the impact of introducing the Code and the Certification Scheme on the justice system.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle fraud in car parks.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is aware of concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

My department is currently consulting on standards within the new Code and its compliance framework. The Private Parking Code of Practice Consultation is available on gov.uk here. The consultation closing date has recently been extended to 26 September 2025.

Fraud investigations, however, are matter for the police.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of private carpark regulation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is aware of concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector. The private parking industry is currently self-regulating through the two main trade associations: the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. My department is currently consulting on standards within the new Code and its compliance framework.

The Private Parking Code of Practice Consultation runs until 5 September 2025 and is available on https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/private-parking-code-of-practice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of inappropriate use of parent and child parking bays; and whether she plans to legislate in this area.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government is aware of concerns regarding the abuse of valuable parking resources and is determined to raise standards.

For private land, the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. On 11 July, the government published a consultation document setting out its proposals for raising standards across the private parking industry.

On public land, Local Authorities are empowered to determine their parking arrangements through the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires them to ensure that parking policies meet the requirements of their local area.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to monitor compliance with consumer protection legislation by private parking companies.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is aware of concerns regarding the actions of some private parking operators and is determined to drive up standards across the sector.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

As part of this, the Government will be launching a consultation on its proposals to raise standards in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with stakeholders on the operation of private parking management and appeals systems.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government is committed to raising standards across the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government is progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and will be launching a consultation in due course.

As part of this work, my officials have regular monthly meetings with the two parking Trade Associations and quarterly meetings with motorist representatives. In addition to these regular meetings, officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.

On 9^th June, I hosted a meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views on the Code of Practice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to establish a regulator for private parking operators.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government is committed to raising standards across the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government is progressing with plans to protect and support motorists and will be launching a consultation in due course.

As part of this work, my officials have regular monthly meetings with the two parking Trade Associations and quarterly meetings with motorist representatives. In addition to these regular meetings, officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.

On 9^th June, I hosted a meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views on the Code of Practice.

Found: Freedoms Act 2012, but in relation to Scotland it is as set out in section 10 (3) of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act

Found: concerns about private parking operators’ behaviour, led to the introduction of the Parking (Code of Practice) Act

Found: number of changes to the parking industry were introduced by the UK Government in the Parking (Code of Practice) Act