The Daily Mirror has an illustrious history of campaigning, most

recently helping to persuade ministers to enact an opt-out system for

organ donation in England, as already existed in Scotland and Wales.

But I’m afraid their latest crusade is mistake. 【M1】_________

Backing by. among others, trade unions and Jeremy Corbyn—for 【M2】_________

whom it is official Labour policy, the paper seeks the abolition of all

parking charges at NHS hospitals in England, for patients, visitors and

staff.

It is generally popular, and billed as an obvious and fair reform,

which would benefit those most in need. Unfortunately, it’s a lot more

complicated than that.

The first point to stress is what I’m not arguing against reforms to 【M3】_________

the way hospital parking is currently administered and charged. Which is 【M4】_________

regularly documented, too many systems are unwieldy and over-

complex, with many only admitting cash payments, or forcing visitors to 【M5】_________

pay in advance when they might have much idea how long they will stay. 【M6】_________

Charges can sometimes also seem unreasonably high, and there

could be an argument for imposing a cap, or perhaps systems

whereby regular visitors such as relatives of long-term patients could

avoid the fees racking on. 【M7】_________

But opening up all NHS hospital car parks to free parking at any

time, for any duration, to anyone who works there or has reason to

visit? That’s a different matter together. 【M8】_________

The first error is that it won’t necessarily make parking any easy, 【M9】_________

just hard in a different way. There are something close to 600,000 staff

at hospitals in England, and about 40,000 inpatient admissions a day.

That’s a lot of people seeking a free resource.

The other key point is that free parking is fundamental regressive, a 【M10】________

subsidy to people who tend to be richer than average. The fact is that

the poorer you are, the less likely you are to drive. It is therefore better-

off patients and visitors who are more likely to take advantage of

hospital parking.

【M1】