MSPs are now debating and voting on possible exemptions to the workplace parking levy.

• the bill as amended at Stage 2, external
• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external

MSPs reject Mr Bibby's first amendment calling for the removal of the levy, so it's here to stay in some form.

54 MSPs backed the Labour amendment and 65 voted against.

Image source, Thinkstock

MSPs will now vote on Labour MSP Neil Bibby's amendment which would remove the workplace parking levy from the bill entirely.

In pressing his amendment, Mr Bibby insisted the working people of this country are being ignored by the SNP and the Greens.

He said the proposal is beyond mitigation and he called for the levy to be removed entirely.

The government and Scottish Greens agreed to give councils the power to bring in such a levy as part of the last budget deal.

It will be for councils to decide how such a levy will work at local level.

Image source, bbc

Murdo Fraser also supports Neil Bibby's attempt to ditch the levy.

"The car park tax is a bad idea," the Tory MSP insists.

It is a regressive tax, following no consultation, he argues and it will hit the poorest hardest.

Mr Fraser points out everyone working in schools and the emergency services will have to pay, as will those on low wages in the retail sector.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles praises Mr Bibby for being fleet of foot and getting his amendments in just before he did.

Mr Rumbles argues Cosla back the levy because they have been starved of cash.

He says it is rather ironic the SNP government has landed itself with something it didn't need to do with such an unpopular tax.

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Transport Secretary Michael Matheson points out Labour led Nottingham have a levy and Labour-led Birmingham are considering it.

The only thing consistent here is Labour's inconsistency on the workplace parking levy and he accuses the party of hypocrisy, adds the minister.

Mr Matheson says there needs to be a range of policies to tackle climate change.

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Mr Bibby argues the Scottish government have not been able to show any public support for the levy.

"The SNP aren't listening," argues Mr Bibby.

He says the levy should be rejected and erased from the Transport Bill and he moves his amendments.

Image source, bbc

Nottingham is the only place in the UK where a workplace parking levy (WPL) has been introduced.

Tom Edwards went up to Nottingham to see their Workplace Parking Levy (WPL)which has been running since 2012 and it means companies have to pay for car parking spaces.

In Nottingham the council has used it to pay for a new tram, refurbish a station and introduce cycling schemes.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby speaks to his amendments calling for the "outrageous" workplace parking levy to be removed from the Transport (Scotland) Bill.

Why did Labour controlled Nottingham introduce the levy, asks Green MSP John Finnie.

It was not introduced in isolation hits back Mr Bibby.

MSPs are voting on workplace parking levy process amendments.

• the bill as amended at Stage 2, external
• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external

Image source, bbc

Back in June MSPs on the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee agreed to John Finnie's crucial workplace parking levy amendment with six for and five against.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle, who had previously opposed the levy, told the committee that over the last few months he had listened to the evidence, in particular from COSLA.

Mr Lyle revealed: "Today I will be changing my view and I will be supporting Mr Finnie."

Image source, bbc

Image source, Getty Images

In June MSPs backed plans to give councils the power to levy a tax on workplace car parking spaces.

The measure could see councils charge businesses an annual fee for every parking space they provide for workers.

Opposition parties said the move was a "regressive tax on workers", but the rural economy committee ultimately backed it by a vote of six to five.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said it would give councils a "modest and completely discretionary power".

The powers have been added in to the Transport (Scotland) Bill, which will still have to be signed off in a vote of all MSPs after the final debate on the proposed legislation tomorrow.

• Will you have to pay to park at work?
• Workplace parking tax move 'not easy', MSPs told
• Read more here

MSPs begin by debating and voting on workplace parking levy process amendments.

• the bill as amended at Stage 2, external
• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external

We will shortly move to a raft of amendments on the controversial workplace parking levy.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby will bid to remove the parking tax from the bill entirely.

His party has insisted this will impact the pockets of employees most of all, particularly those who are unable to get public transport to work.

• MSPs back plans for tax on workplace car parking spaces
• Will you have to pay to park at work?
• Scottish government urged to back workplace parking tax

Image source, Thinkstock

The government and Scottish Greens agreed to give councils the power to bring in such a levy as part of the last budget deal.

It will be for councils to decide how such a levy will work at local level.

But Labour, the Conservatives and Lib Dems have all resisted the move so far.

Other amendments also seek to add exemptions for a levy, including police and fire services.