Health secretary Andy Burnham told Labour’s party conference in Brighton that he wanted to introduce parking permits instead of charges to allow friends and relatives of patients to visit for free.

He said the last thing people visiting hospital wanted to worry about was keeping the car parking ticket up to date.

“For families of the sickest patients, the costs can really rack up. It’s not right if some people don’t get visitors every day because families can’t afford the parking fees.”

He said the change could not be brought about overnight.

But to cheers and applause from delegates, he added: “Over the next three years, as we can afford it, I want to phase out car parking charges for in-patients, giving each a permit for the length of their stay, which family and friends can use.”

Read more at The Telegraph.