New Parking Fines in England

May 4, 2026, 11:01
UKPolitics

Introduction

The government is looking at parking fines. They want to see if higher fines work better.

Main Body

Now, the most a council can charge for a parking fine is £70. This rule started in 2008. One council in Bournemouth tried higher fines. They charged £160 for some mistakes. This council says more people followed the rules and there was less traffic. Some groups like this idea. They say £70 is too low now. They want higher fines to stop people from parking in the wrong places. Other groups are angry. The AA and some politicians say this is only to make money. They say the fines are too high. They say a parking fine should not cost more than stealing from a shop.

Conclusion

The government is studying the information. They have no plan to change the fines right now.

Learning

🚦 Money Words: High vs Low

In this text, we see how to describe costs. To reach A2, you need to compare things simply.

The Pattern:

  • Too low →\rightarrow Not enough money (Example: £70 is too low).
  • Too high →\rightarrow Too much money (Example: The fines are too high).

🛠️ 'To make' vs 'To charge'

Notice the difference in how money is used here:

  1. Charge = When a company or government asks for money.

    • They charged £160.

  2. Make = To get money as a result (profit).

    • This is only to make money.

💡 Quick Tip: 'Looking at'

When the text says "The government is looking at parking fines," it does not mean they are using their eyes. It means they are thinking about or studying a problem.

Vocabulary Learning

parking
the act of stopping a vehicle in a particular place
Example:I need to find a parking spot near the shop.
fines
money someone must pay as a penalty
Example:He received a fine for parking illegally.
government
the group that runs a country
Example:The government made new rules about parking.
look
to think about or consider
Example:The council will look at the new fines.
higher
more than a lower amount
Example:Higher fines may stop more people from parking wrong.
rule
an instruction that tells what is allowed
Example:The new rule says no parking on the street.
started
began to do something
Example:The rule started in 2008.
council
a group that makes decisions for a town
Example:The Bournemouth council tried higher fines.
charge
to ask for a payment
Example:They charged £160 for some mistakes.
mistakes
errors or wrong actions
Example:He made a mistake by parking in a no‑parking zone.
people
human beings
Example:Many people follow the rules.
followed
obeyed or went after
Example:More people followed the rules.
rules
instructions that tell what to do
Example:The rules say no parking on the street.
traffic
cars and other vehicles on roads
Example:Less traffic was seen after the new fines.
groups
collections of people
Example:Some groups support the new fines.
idea
a thought or plan
Example:The idea is to stop illegal parking.
low
not high or small
Example:£70 is too low for some people.
stop
to prevent something from happening
Example:Higher fines may stop people from parking wrong.
wrong
not correct
Example:Parking in the wrong places is illegal.
places
locations
Example:People must not park in these places.
angry
feeling upset
Example:Some groups are angry about the fines.
money
currency used for buying things
Example:The fines are a way to make money for the council.
stealing
taking something that does not belong to you
Example:A fine should not cost more than stealing from a shop.
shop
a place where goods are sold
Example:The shop sells clothes.
studying
learning about something
Example:The government is studying the information.
information
facts or knowledge
Example:They have no plan to change the fines right now.
plan
a set of actions to do something
Example:There is no plan to change the fines.
change
to make something different
Example:The council may change the fines later.
politicians
people who work in government
Example:Politicians say the fines are too high.
AA
an association that helps motorists
Example:The AA says the fines are too high.