NHS staff car parking charges: Health service made {pound}87m from staff last year

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NHS trusts in England collected £86.6 million in staff parking charges in 2025–26, up 9% from the previous year. Doctors’ representatives criticized the fees as a stealth tax, while trusts say parking revenue supports maintenance, security, lighting, and capacity.

NHS trusts in England made nearly £87m from charging staff to park last year, in what doctors’ leaders described as a “stealth tax” on the profession.Official data show that the income trusts in England received from staff parking increased by 9% during 2025-26, with trusts receiving £86.6m in 2025-26, compared with £79.1m the previous year.1University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire made the most income, £3.8m, from staff car parking during 2025-26. The trust also had the highest income from patient and visitor car parking, at £6.4m.A spokesperson for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust said, “A large proportion of our car parks form part of a private finance initiative contract and, as a result, we generate minimal car park revenue directly from staff, patients, or visitors.“Money generated goes towards essential running costs of the car parks and the surrounding areas, including maintenance, security, lighting, improvements, and increased capacity.”Manchester University NHS...