Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-03279, in the name of Graham Simpson, on a workplace parking tax. I ask members who wish to participate t...

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Yesterday, I moved in committee a motion to annul an instrument that brought in provisions in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 to allow councils to introduc...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Does Graham Simpson accept that there is an air pollution problem in Glasgow and, potentially, in Edinburgh, that there is congestion on the roads and that w...

Graham Simpson Con

The way to tackle those things is by improving public transport, which I will come to. Ms Gilruth says that the Government can call in schemes, but when she...

The Minister for Transport (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

I thank Mr Simpson for the opportunity, but I answered his question yesterday. The power is a local power for local authorities to decide on. I thought that ...

Graham Simpson Con

Once again, the minister refuses to say what she thinks would be an acceptable limit. It is not clear what the workplace parking tax is meant to achieve. If...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Would Mr Simpson give way on that point?

Graham Simpson Con

I have already given way. The minister can explain that in her speech. The SNP and the Greens say that they want to get people out of their cars. The way to...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I call the minister to speak to and move amendment S6M-03279.2. 16:14

The Minister for Transport (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to debate the merits of having provided discretionary powers to local authorities to implement workplace parking licensing schemes,...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

If the levy is about reducing emissions from cars, why are electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles not exempt categories in the legislation?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Mr Kerr seems to think that we should look at electric vehicles and public transport in isolation. We need to look at emissions in the round. We are taking a...

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

Will the minister take an intervention?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I would like to make some progress. Disincentivisation measures, such as WPL schemes, are needed if we are to reach the targets. The regulations allow local...

Liam Kerr Con

On that note—

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Although I have already taken an intervention from Mr Kerr, I will take another on that point.

Liam Kerr Con

Is the minister not aware that Nottingham invested in its public transport before it brought in the levy?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Mr Kerr seems to be suggesting that we are not already investing in public transport in Scotland. We are investing in our rail and bus infrastructure; we can...

Miles Briggs Con

Will the minister take an intervention?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I would like to make some progress, please. As Councillor Steven Heddle, who is COSLA’s environment and economy spokesperson, noted when the legislation was...

Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister take an intervention on that point?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I am in my last minute. Local authorities must consult locally those who are likely to be impacted by local schemes, and they should undertake impact assess...

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I welcome this debate led by Graham Simpson. Let us be clear: despite what the minister said, too many people across Scotland simply cannot rely on our publi...

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I thank Graham Simpson for bringing the debate to the chamber. Scottish Liberal Democrats cannot support the SNP-Green plans to introduce the workplace parki...

John Mason SNP

Does the member accept that it will be entirely up to each council—Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles—to decide whether it wants such a scheme?

Beatrice Wishart LD

More areas than just the islands are affected; I referred to remote and rural areas, too. Does the Government believe that a teacher—a front-line worker who...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Excuse me, Ms Wishart. Could we have a little less chatter at the back of the chamber, please?

Beatrice Wishart LD

Those who live in urban areas might not escape some of the consequences of the levy either. Residents may now see their streets blocked up by displaced vehic...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

We now move to the open debate. Time is tight so I would be grateful if speakers could stick to their allotted time. 16:30

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I will use the time that I have to outline the impact of the car park tax on my constituents here in Edinburgh and the wider Lothian region. Motorists in Edi...