Damien Moore calls on Government to introduce free car parking for social care workers.

Member of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, has called on the Government to introduce free car parking for social care workers who are on duty and making home visits.

This follows conversations with his constituents working in social care, who have explained to him how charges and fines imposed by Sefton Council have increased the pressure they are under, and have made it harder to carry out their vital care.

Mr. Moore previously wrote to the Government to raise this issue, and to ask them to compel Sefton through ringfenced funds to introduce the scheme. Subsequently, Mr. Moore was delighted when the Health Secretary subsequently announced that free car parking for social care workers would be implemented nationwide, albeit for a time-limited period.

Since the Covid measure came to an end, Mr. Moore has again been pushing for this scheme to be introduced nationwide. Building on research from Engage Britain, which shows the extremely high levels of support, Mr Moore hosted a debate in Parliament to call for increased cross-party support for the issue.

In his debate, which was granted after he petitioned the Backbench Business Committee, Mr. Moore called on the Government “to introduce a nationwide, standardised Green Badge system, similar to the Blue Badge, for social care workers on duty and making care visits. This should be nationally recognised, with eligibility set at a national level. It should be available for all care workers that travel to provide care in clients’ homes. Care workers should be the permit holders. And, in keeping with the efficiency this will introduce, there should be a simple, standardised application and issuing service.”

Mr. Moore will continue to call on Sefton Council and on the Government to do what is necessary to support our care workers, and ensure that vulnerable constituents in Southport are able to get the care they need and deserve.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:  “I have called in Parliament for the Government to introduce a nationwide, standardised Green Badge system enabling free car parking for social care workers on duty and making visits.

“This follows conversations with my constituents working in social care, as it is completely unacceptable that many of them are forced by Sefton Council to pay high fees or face fines for parking near the homes of their clients. This not only creates unnecessary stress for the workers, but it also puts a strain on the crucial care services that many vulnerable people depend on.

“Our carers deserve our recognition and support for the vital work they do, and we must do everything we can to ensure that they can carry out their duties without unnecessary obstacles, and so I will continue to stand up for them.”