GOVERNMENT plans to introduce workplace car park charges could result in some employees being exempted from the charge, including Government departments and NHS health authorities and trusts. Plans to give local authorities powers to introduce the charge were outlined in last month's integrated transport white paper and immediately proved controversial.

And confirmation that there could be exemptions to the charges is bound to cause a furore across Britain. Junior transport minister Glenda Jackson was asked in the House of Commons if local authorities would be able to levy the proposed new parking charge on workplace parking on employees of Government departments, non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, NHS health authorities and trusts, local authorities and Training and Enterprise Councils.

She said: 'The Government said that it proposed to legislate to enable the parking charge to apply to all types of workplace parking. We shall consult in due course on any possible exemptions.'