Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 February 2022
23 Feb 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Workplace Parking Licensing Schemes
I thank Graham Simpson for bringing the debate to the chamber. Scottish Liberal Democrats cannot support the SNP-Green plans to introduce the workplace parking levy. Since the plans were initially suggested, we have believed that they are ill-conceived and that they raise more questions than the Scottish Government has been able to answer. We can now add to that the cost of living crisis and all the challenges to business and household budgets as a result of the pandemic.
Our concerns include concerns about workers in rural, remote and island areas; the blocking up of our urban roads; adding pressure to the squeezed budgets of workers and businesses; and concerns about workers with unusual or night-time shift patterns. I will take each in turn, and outline the Scottish Liberal Democrat plans to reduce emissions and tackle the climate emergency.
For those of us who live in rural, remote and island areas, it feels as though very little consideration has been given to the impact on workers. We cannot all hop on a tram or train as an alternative to our car.
In the same item of business
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...