Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that parking charges for NHS staff are to be suspended during the coronavirus pandemic. NHS and social care workers will be able to park for free in council-owned car parks and parking bays, while the National Car Parking Group has confirmed it will provide free parking for NHS staff at its 150 car parks across England. Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick commented: “Our NHS staff and social care workers are working round the clock to save lives and should not have to worry about the cost or time restrictions of parking, which is why I’ve agreed with the Local Government Association and councils in England to provide free car parking on council owned on-street spaces and car parks.” LGA chairman Cllr James Jamieson said: “These critical workers are all doing vital and highly-valued work to support the most vulnerable in our society and councils want to do all they can to support them.”