Calls for a rise in the maximum parking fine have been supported by the British Parking Association (BPA), which draws much of its funding from local authorities.
The BPA is a membership based industry body whose aims include lobbying government on parking policy. In response to a proposal to raise parking fines beyond the current maximum of £70, the BPA was reported in The Daily Telegraph saying:
Parking fines should be increased and free parking cut back. It has suggested that parking charges should be increased every four years.
A number of local councils pay a fee for the privilege of membership - up to £1,640 per year which is more than a familiy's Council Tax bill in most areas of the country. This funding system means that Council Tax payers are indirectly funding a body which is lobbying to make their parking more difficult, more expensive, and would increase council revenue.
This is yet another example of branches of government lobbying one another with taxpayers’ money, a practice which is shockingly common, and one that is not in the interests of taxpayers and local businesses who are picking up the bill.