In this month’s Debt Talk podcast, we discuss: Cars & Their Costs.

To explore the topic, Ripon Ray speaks with:

• Alison Tooze, from the British Association of Parking
• Sam Nurse, CEO of Money Advice Hub

Alison Tooze emphasised the importance of preventing parking-related crises and outlined steps drivers can take to reduce the risk of receiving fixed penalty notices or penalty charge notices. She noted that while the number of cars on the roads is increasing, available parking spaces are shrinking. Alison also stated that her members are responsible for managing parking spaces, which adds to the complexity of balancing road use and parking availability.

She explained the differences between tickets issued under criminal and civil law, how each is recovered, and the associated costs. Alison described how disputes can arise when road users believe tickets have been wrongly issued, and she outlined the process for challenging them. She noted that appeal decision-makers can also take mitigating circumstances into account.

Sam Nurse highlighted the importance of participating in a public consultation on the new Private Parking Code of Practice, which is seeking views on proposals to raise standards in the private parking sector. She pointed out that many parking facilities are oversubscribed, leading to people parking in prohibited areas. Other related pressures include the sharp rise in insurance costs—up by 200% in recent years. Sam noted that many of their clients are struggling to cover essential bills alongside car-related fines.

Both guests shared Top Tips for Debt Talk listeners on how to manage car-related costs and avoid unnecessary penalties.

The next Debt Talk podcast will focus on: Health & Costs.