Attacking the coalition for failing to follow through on a Labour pre-election promise

BBC Radio News are 'going big' on the coalition's decision not to keep the last Labour government's promise to end parking charges at hospitals. I am sure I heard a 5Live news bulletin saying that this would cost patients £140 million a year.

What the BBC radio news are not reminding people is that these charges started under a Labour government, that the Labour government did nothing to end them until last year when Andy Burnham promised to end them after the election. This was just another cynical pre-election announcement designed to create embarrassment for a fiscally responsible Conservative government. And the BBC are cynically following the Labour line once again.

I think it disgusting that hospitals charge for parking especially if it is a pay as you arrive system. I have had to race out of hospitals after an hour to go and 'feed the meter' because my wife's treatment was delayed or extended. If hospitals are to charge for parking then it should be payable on exit or, as in the London Borough of Westminster, via telephone or text - a system that works well.