Motorists to be slapped with 'cynical cash grab' that could be used as a 'prototype' to fleece drivers elsewhere in the UK

12:47, Fri, Mar 6, 2026 Updated: 12:59, Fri, Mar 6, 2026

Welsh Assembly Government building, Wales, UK The Assembly building in Cardiff Bay built with a holistic approach has received the Building Research E

The new tax in Cardiff has been derided as a 'cynical cash grab' (Image: Getty)

Labour-run Cardiff Council is pressing ahead with a controversial new parking tax denounced as a "cynical cash grab". Under the plan, parking permit costs will double for heavier vehicles – including some of the council's own motors, which fail the very test bosses are imposing.

A Freedom of Information response by the Taxpayers' Alliance, seen by the Express reveals nearly 1,000 of the council's own cars, vans and lorries would be hit by the surcharge, including a luxury Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Yet, infuriatingly, taxpayers will be forced to pick up the tab for those too. The council claim that two-thirds of respondents in a consultation agreed with the proposals, yet only a paltry 6,381 responded – 1.76% of the 362,400 population.

The staggering move has sparked fears town halls across Britain could use it as a "prototype" to fleece drivers.

Scrambling officials insisted the council's Rolls-Royce, which tips the scales well over the 2,400kg limit, is registered as off-road and not in use.

But furious campaigners say the fact the council even owns such a vehicle while lecturing residents about "oversized" cars exposes the rank hypocrisy of the plan.

Dan Thomas, leader of Reform Wales, savaged the scheme as a "cynical cash grab" that has "turned the Welsh people against Labour".

He said: "Hardworking Welshmen and women are sick to death of the war on motorists that punishes them while they try to get from A to B. That's why they're backing Reform to end the war on motorists and scrap blanket 20mph speed limits this May."

Callum McGoldrick, investigations manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Cardiff Council's new parking surcharge is nothing more than a blatant cash grab which will alarm motorists across Britain who fear their town halls may look at it as a prototype.

Ensure our latest politics headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Council's Rolls Royce Phantom fails its own weight test (Image: Getty)

"It's staggering that nearly 1,000 of the council's own vehicles, including a luxury Rolls-Royce, would fail their own weight test.

"If these council vehicles are charged, it's just taxpayers' money moving in a pointless circle. If they are exempt, it's rank hypocrisy."

The council plans to charge drivers of vehicles over 2,400kg double the standard £35 annual residential parking permit, with the weight threshold set to be slashed to just 2,000kg in future.

Council bosses justified the tax by claiming heavier vehicles "produce more emissions, cause greater wear and tear on roads" and pose a "significantly higher risk" in collisions.

A council spokesperson insisted revenue would be "ring-fenced for investment in other transport projects" as part of a 10-year parking plan.

The latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

But Mr McGoldrick urged the council to "scrap this scheme" and warned local authorities across Britain to "avoid targeting family car and van owners to fill holes in their budgets, especially as taxes are already at record highs".

The damning revelation comes as councils across the UK face accusations of waging war on motorists through parking charges, low-traffic neighbourhoods and emission zones.