Burnham vows to end 'rip-off' parking charges but Labour is accused of 'surrendering' to firms by rejecting an £80 cap

Ministers rejected a reduction in the ceiling on private parking fines to £80, despite advice that such a cut would 'benefit' motorists. Analysts warn the decision could leave drivers collectively worse off by as much as £1.6 billion. A proposed 50 per cent early-payment discount for settling within 14 days was also turned down, leaving the current 40 per cent reduction unchanged. Prime Minister Andy Burnham claimed he was 'putting a stop' to rip-off charges, though Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith said: 'Labour must think we're fools.'

Drivers are entitled to a 10-minute grace period before a ticket may be issued, and genuine errors are subject to a £20 cap.

Appeals against fines are still adjudicated by bodies that receive funding from the parking industry itself, an arrangement critics describe as 'marking its own homework'.

Private operators issued an unprecedented 16.9 million parking tickets in the 12 months to March.