Labour vows to ditch hospital parking charges

Jonathan Ashworth said it was a 'scandal' that people were being hit in the pocket when going for treatment or visiting relatives in hospital and that axing charges was 'the right thing to do'.

The man hoping to become the next Health Secretary also pledged Labour would get waiting lists down by investing billions in the NHS as he accused the Tories of presiding over a 'winter crisis'.

Mr Ashworth insisted Labour's plan was deliverable and said the shortfall from scrapping parking charges would be filled by increasing tax on private medical insurance premiums.

He also said it was right that the richest pay more tax to help fund the NHS.

Mr Ashworth was speaking at Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital, while he also visited Wolverhampton to back Labour candidate and nurse Eleanor Smith on a busy day of campaigning.

Parking charges at hospitals has been a sensitive issue over recent years, with health bosses coming under pressure to reduce or scrap fees.

Mr Ashworth said: "Hospital car park charges are a huge problem across the country, and I know they're a problem in Dudley.

"It's a scandal that people are paying £10, £20 or £30 a day sometimes to see loved ones when they park at a hospital car park - charges are different across the country.

"We know people are out of pocket going for treatment or going to see loved ones and it's a disgrace.

"We are getting rid of hospital parking charges because it is the right thing to do."

It currently costs £1.50 to park between 15 minutes and half an hour at Russells Hall, £2.60 for an hour, £3.60 for an hour and a half, £4.60 for three hours and £5.60 for 24 hours, with similar rates at hospitals across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Labour's Ian Austin, who is hoping to retain his Dudley North seat at the election, has campaigned for hospital charges to be scrapped.

He said: "The sky-high parking charges at Russells Hall are outrageous and I’ve been complaining about them ever since I was first elected. People are furious about the costs, particularly when having to visit relatives in hospital for an extended period of time.

"I’ve raised it with countless health ministers and I’m really pleased Labour’s manifesto makes a clear commitment to abolishing them once and for all.”

Mr Ashworth added: "We will invest far more than any other political party is offering, we want to improve care for patients.

"Waiting lists are rising to five million - we want to reduce waiting lists.

"The NHS has admitted it won't be able to meet the 18-week target for non-urgent operations.

"Hip operations and knee operations, just because they are non-urgent does not mean they are non-painful for patients and their families. I don't think it's right."

He insisted if Labour's plans were to become reality, the richest would have to pay more.

He said: "We have said the extra investment will come from increasing tax on the very, very wealthiest people - the top five per cent.

"Those with broad shoulders should pay a little bit more to fund the NHS."

Mr Ashworth also branded Conservative proposals on social care, which he dubbed a 'dementia tax', as 'cruel' - although Theresa May has now said the plans will now include an option for an 'absolute limit' on how much people will have to pay.

Labour's health chief said: "It seems a very cruel change to the social care system. It seems people with dementia are getting penalised, where as somebody with another condition can be treated by the NHS.

"I don't think it's very fair. This issue is being raised more and more on doorsteps and I think people are really concerned about it."

Mr Ashworth also defended Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has come under pressure to condemn IRA bombings amid focus on his links to Sinn Fein.

Asked by the Express & Star whether Mr Corbyn should condemn the IRA, Mr Ashworth responded: "I condemn the IRA. One of things I am most proud about the Labour Government under Tony Blair is bringing peace to Northern Ireland and ending the bloodshed and loss of life."

Pressed further, he said: "I saw a snippet and thought he did condemn it."