North East NHS Workers Paid £5.6 Million to Park at Work Last Year
Written by Ria Dawber on 20th October 2026
The debate over whether hospital parking should be free has resurfaced after new data showed that North East NHS trusts collected £5.6 million in parking charges last year.
The Estates Returns Information for 2025/26 shows that South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust received £1.1 million in parking fees during the year. Newcastle’s trust also received £1.1 million, followed by Northumbria with £900,000.
Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “It’s utterly obscene we are still having this debate in 2026. On what planet is it a good idea to charge health workers just for going to work?
“Despite finally getting a pay rise under the Labour Government, NHS workers are underpaid and massively overstretched. They’re trying to save lives on a shoestring budget inside a creaking system.
“They need our help and support, not having pounds pinched out of their pocket just for trying to do their job.”
A growing number of petitions are calling for NHS staff to receive free parking at work, with campaigns also being shared across social media.
NHS workers have also discussed the difficulties of finding parking on nearby residential streets to avoid charges. Some say they have to park a long way from the hospital.
Cheryl, a member of the Big Up The NHS Facebook group commented: “I refuse to pay. I park on a residential street and walk. Risk my safety tbh as it’s not a nice area where I work”
A spokesperson for the NHS Foundation Trusts North East said: “We understand that car parking is always a contentious issue. All our NHS Foundation Trusts follow the national NHS parking principles when determining local arrangements for patients and staff.
