'Unfair, disgusting profiteering - an absolute joke': Government slammed after ending NHS staff free parking

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Government's decision to reinstate parking fees for NHS staff has sparked a backlash. Health Secretary Sajid Javid issued a statement this week to say the goodwill gesture, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and funded by the Government, would end this month.

Mr Javid added the caveat that more than 93pc of hospitals would continue free parking for some staff, including those working overnight. However, following two years in which the NHS workforce has worked tirelessly battling wave after wave of a mutating virus, the decision has been met with derision in many quarters.

Raising questions around the working lives of MPs who enjoy free parking, subsidies and expenses, readers were also quick to note how the perk was being lifted at a time of financial hardship for many, while it has also raised questions around whether partients should have to pay for parking.

READ MORE; Free parking for NHS staff to end on Friday, Sajid Javid announces

Richard Harrison described the move as 'disgusting profiteering', while Sue Gill said: "Where else do you have to pay to park while at work? MP's? No, they have a manned underground garage to keep their expensive cars nice and safe.

"And why do outpatients and visitors have to pay to park at a hospital? I understand that you'll always get people parking up to go shopping, but surely there must be some sort of system where hospital users could get free parking and others have to pay?"

Megan Wathes branded the move 'unfair' and said parking should be free, while Claire Pinless added: "Well they’ve given themselves a pay rise when the NHS got a clap. They had a party while the NHS worked hard & made sacrifices. So are we surprised they’ve scraped free parking?"

Kez Isbell