Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules

Transport Secretary Burnham pledged to end what he described as “rip‑off parking charges” under a set of new rules that require private parking firms to cap the amount they can charge motorists. The same announcements introduced a Private Parking Code intended to standardise practices and gave London drivers new rights to challenge unfair fines. A statement on GOV.UK said the prime minister was “putting the brakes on rip‑off parking charges and car scams”. The Times reported that private parking firms had been told to cap fines for motorists, while the RAC Media Centre called the Private Parking Code “a step in the right direction”.

The London Evening Standard highlighted the new rights for London drivers to contest penalties, and the BBC focused on Burnham’s vow to eliminate rip‑off charges. The official GOV.UK release framed the measures as a direct response to public concerns about parking scams. The announcements come amid long‑standing criticism of private parking operators, whose enforcement practices have been described by consumers as opaque and disproportionately punitive. Prior to the new rules, motorists often faced high charges for minor infractions and had limited avenues to dispute them, fueling a perception of “car scams”.

Advocacy groups and motorists’ associations have repeatedly called for clearer standards and stronger consumer protections, creating a backdrop that made the government’s intervention particularly salient. Future reporting will focus on how the Private Parking Code and fine‑capping provisions are operationalised. Key points to watch include the issuance of detailed guidance to private operators, the mechanism for drivers to lodge challenges under the new London rights, and any legal challenges mounted by parking firms. Monitoring by consumer watchdogs and statements from Burnham or the transport ministry will indicate whether the promised end to rip‑off charges translates into measurable changes for motorists.