Drivers face ‘war on motorists’ as ‘spy cameras’ could be introduced across UK

The Shadow Transport Secretary said Labour Party government should not be trying to ‘catch drivers out’ with ANPR cameras.

The Labour Party government has been accused of launching a “war on motorists” as “spy cameras” could be introduced at car parks across the UK. The Shadow Transport Secretary said Labour Party government should not be trying to ‘catch drivers out’ with ANPR cameras.

Proposals stated that greater enforcement powers were needed in “affluent areas” and in popular tourist areas to crack down on drivers breaking rules.

The plans were obtained by the Conservative Party via a Freedom of Information request after Labour ministers “rebuffed” requests to publish them.

READ MORE New car tax shake-up in 2026 could cost drivers £275million

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden told The Telegraph: “Labour is desperate to try and hide the most pernicious details of its shameful war on motorists.

“From slashing road-improvement funding, hiking road use tolls and now drawing up a snoopers charter of CCTV parking enforcement, it is clear Labour is desperately trying to fill the black hole Rachel Reeves has created by squeezing every penny from drivers.”

The MP for Basildon and Billericay noted that the previous Conservative Government banned these measures from being introduced.

He added that drivers “should not be facing a phalanx of spy parking cameras” trying to “catch them out” on the road.

Documents from the British Parking Association (BPA) stated that local authorities using ANPR cameras could lead to “greater revenue generation”.

Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said it deserved “careful consideration”. The response, which was submitted in February, suggested that the Department for Transport would carry out a “broader review” of penalty charge notices nationally.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said in a statement: “We have no plans to introduce higher caps for parking fines.

“We are a Government firmly on the side of drivers and we fully expect councils only to use penalty charge notices as a deterrent for law-breaking – not as a way to raise funds.”