Core Insights - The annual parking fines and fees paid by UK motorists have reached £2.3 billion, averaging £70 per vehicle, raising concerns about whether parking charges are effectively a "driving tax" [1][2] - Local councils have increased parking fees to address budget shortfalls, resulting in a 20% rise in revenue from parking permits, fees, and fines over the past two years [1] - In England, local councils collected £1.4 billion from on-street parking fees and £876 million from off-street parking, with net profits from parking operations rising to £1.1 billion, up from £961 million two years ago [1] - Additional revenues from congestion charges, clean air zone fees, and bus lane violations contributed an extra £1 billion [1] - The number of employees in the parking industry has remained stable at approximately 82,000, surpassing the active personnel of the UK Army [1] - Parking fines and fees have increased at a rate exceeding inflation, with London councils issuing 8.3 million penalty notices last year and raising the maximum parking fine from £130 to £160 this year [1] Industry Reactions - The AA's road policy chief criticized parking fees as a form of "driving tax," burdening low-income motorists as councils exploit unregulated charging policies [2] - The Royal Automobile Club Foundation director described parking operations as a "cash cow" for some local governments [2] - Local councils defended the revenue growth, attributing it to the rising number of vehicles and stating that parking profits must be reinvested in transportation-related services [2] - The British Parking Association emphasized that claims of "excess profits" are misleading, as funds are reinvested into public services valued by the community [2]