Ministers have been asked a series of questions about private parking charges – including protections for drivers at broken or malfunctioning payment machines
Andy Burnham’s government is preparing to make a big announcement on protection for ordinary motorists over private parking charges. The new Prime Minister’s administration has faced a flurry of questions this month on the issue of private parking penalties and parking charges.
Plans first hatched under previous Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are being finalised to address anger over private parking charges. The government said it wanted to tackle bad behaviour from some parking operators in the UK who make it hard for drivers to comply with the terms and conditions of parking – leaving them at risk of fines that can rise rapidly.
Martin Lewis’s MSE website said last month that DVLA data found almost 17 million private parking tickets were issued in 2025/26. And that was a surge of 17% from the year before.
Florence Eshalomi – Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) – has delivered two responses in recent days that suggest what may be on the horizon. And changes appear to be on the way to offer more protection to drivers.
The minister was asked what assessment has been made of the adequacy of consumer protections for motorists issued with private parking charges where payment systems are unavailable or malfunctioning. In her reply, she said: “The Government is making an assessment of consumer protections for motorists issued with private parking charges where payment systems are unavailable or malfunctioning and will set out its position in the Private Parking Code of Practice which we intend to lay in Parliament in autumn 2026.”
Following a question about the possible impact of private parking charges on consumer confidence in town centres and retail parks, she also noted: “No direct assessment has been made of the potential impact of private parking on consumer confidence in town centres and retail parks. The Government is aware of the concerns raised regarding private parking practices and intends to lay the new Private Parking Code of Practice, which is intended to raise standards and better protects motorists, in autumn 2026.”
The proposal for a code of practice was initially unveiled under former PM Sir Keir Starmer’s administration. It said the government was seeking views on proposals to raise standards across the private parking industry ahead of preparing a new code of practice.
A government statement said at the time: “For the 35 million people in Britain who rely on cars as their main means of transport, the ability to park with peace of mind isn’t just about convenience. It is vital for their quality of life.
“It means not having to think twice about shopping locally or popping out to see friends and family, knowing that charges are fair and the rules are clear. Parking without fear of an unjustified parking charge is good for boosting local economies and our social fabric.
“The UK private parking industry plays an important role in supporting our local economies and high streets. But we continue to hear reports of poor behaviour by parking operators that make it difficult for motorists to comply with the terms and conditions of parking and leave them open to parking charges and escalating costs.
“These operators tarnish the reputation of those in the industry who strive to provide quality parking facilities and services. That’s bad for motorists, industry and the economy. And it’s bad for growth. There is considerable evidence that the public want transparency, and they want to see parking operators who engage in poor practices held to account.”
Consultation documents said the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 (the Act) required the government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Act applies across England, Scotland and Wales.
Government papers reveal that the code of practice provides guidance promoting good practice in the operation and management of private parking facilities, as well as guidance regarding appeals against private parking charges imposed by, or on behalf of, those providing private parking facilities.
A consultation process sought views on the government’s proposed measures aimed at raising standards within the private parking industry ahead of the Code of Practice being launched. When the code of practice plan was unveiled, the government stated that it “wants to support motorists to have easy access to clear information so that they can make informed choices when interacting with the private parking industry. Evidence gathered through user research and desk research in summer 2024 suggests that there is misinformation online, and motorists find it difficult to easily access clear and reliable guidance on what to expect throughout their interactions with the private parking industry.
“Motorists tend to seek out this information after receiving a parking charge notice. This misinformation makes it harder for motorists to make informed choices about what to do once they receive a parking charge and can result in motorists paying for parking charges which may have been cancelled if they went to appeal or, at the other extreme, motorists ending up with County Court judgments or Sheriff Court decrees because they failed to engage in the process.
“There is also little clarity for motorists on the difference between appeals and complaints to the trade associations which can result in worse outcomes for motorists without them knowing, as they end up complaining to trade associations instead of engaging with the appeals services within the allocated time.”
QR code parking charge idea raised with ministers
Topics ranging from consumer rights to the effect of private parking charges on high streets have been brought up with the government this month – alongside the proposal of introducing QR codes for council parking payments. In response, the government has, through various ministers, set out its thinking in broad terms – while informing MPs that an update is coming shortly.
Meanwhile, in further parking news from Parliament, one MP – Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat – West Dorset) – has raised five questions this month regarding QR codes and parking charges. He asked the government:
- what assessment it has made of the potential merits of introducing QR codes on parking penalty charge notices.
- what assessment it has made of the potential for QR code payment systems to reduce administrative costs associated with parking enforcement.
- whether the Department for Transport has had discussions with local authorities on increasing the use of QR codes for the payment of parking fines.
- whether the Department has issued guidance on the use of digital payment methods, including QR codes, for parking penalty charge notices.
- what steps the department is taking to encourage local authorities to adopt digital payment technologies that reduce administrative burdens for motorists and enforcement authorities.
In response, Justin Madders – Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) – said: “The Department is encouraging local authorities to consider the National Parking Platform, which enables motorists to use their preferred parking app across participating areas.
“This supports greater choice and competition, makes parking simpler for motorists and can help reduce administrative burdens for local authorities and enforcement authorities. The Secretary of State has not made other assessments and there are no plans to introduce QR codes as a means of digital payment.”
How do you appeal a private parking charge
Citizens Advice outlines that the appeals process varies depending on the type of parking ticket received. This could be a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or an Excess Charge Notice (ECN) — typically issued by the council on public land, such as a high street or council car park.
Alternatively, it may be a Parking Charge Notice — issued by a landowner or parking firm on private land, such as a supermarket car park. It could also be a Fixed Penalty Notice — issued by the police on red routes, white zig zags or in areas where the police oversee parking enforcement.
Citizens Advice’s website says: “Don’t pay a parking ticket that you’re appealing. Usually, paying is seen as admitting the ticket was right – so you won’t be able to appeal it once you’ve paid. “If you’re worried about not paying, call whoever gave you the ticket and ask them to confirm that you shouldn’t pay if you’re appealing.”
For more, visit the Citizens Advice web page on appealing a parking ticket for support.
