By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has told that low income workers will be worst affected by the SNP-Green government’s “commuter tax”, as legislation introducing the Workplace Parking Levy is published.
The Transport Minister confirmed that the regulations setting up the controversial scheme have been published, with the laws coming into place from March 4.
The scheme would allow councils, including West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute, to force workers to cough up hundreds of pounds for parking spaces at their workplace.
When first debated, the SNP and the Greens voted down a series of proposed exemptions from Scottish Labour – meaning no key frontline workers other than NHS staff will be exempt.
Ms Baillie has criticised the decision to press ahead with the unpopular move in the midst of a cost of living crisis, accusing the government of “bare-faced hypocrisy” in their transport policy.
It also comes on the back of rising rail fares and proposed cuts to hours of operation at local train station ticket offices.
MSP for Dumbarton constituency, Jackie Baillie said: “It is bare-faced hypocrisy to punish people for relying on cars after letting our public transport system collapse.
“The best way to encourage people to reduce the use of their car is by building an affordable, reliable and accessible public transport but there is no evidence of that happening under this SNP government. Yet they are forcing people to pay for the privilege of going to work.
“In 2019, I pleaded with the Scottish Government to ditch these proposals and I continue that plea now, at a time when many of my constituents are struggling to make ends meet, fuel bills are soaring and people cannot afford to put food on the table.
“This will hit countless frontline workers who kept us going through the pandemic. It beggars belief that the SNP are pressing ahead with these misguided plans.”