Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with representatives of NHS Trusts on street safety issues as a result of NHS workers, particularly women, not being able to access free car parking at work.

No assessment of these costs has been made and there have been no specific discussions. Free parking in hospital car parks for National Health Service staff was temporarily introduced for the duration of the pandemic. As we begin to learn to live with the virus, this temporary measure ended on 1 April 2022.

However, staff working night shifts will continue to benefit from free hospital car parking. NHS trusts will also support NHS workers in finding alternative parking options which are safe. As facilities will vary, staff should raise any concerns with the relevant trust.