HOSPICES should be exempt from a controversial new tax on workplace parking spaces, a charity has said.

Marie Curie said it was facing “increasing costs year-on-year”, and warned any extra levy would act as an additional burden.

It comes as a last-minute Budget deal between the SNP and the Greens opened the door to a wave of new local taxes.

This includes handing councils the power to introduce a levy on staff parking spaces – a move critics fear could leave employees with a bill of more than £400 a year.

Richard Meade, head of policy and public affairs for Scotland at Marie Curie, insisted Scottish Government plans to exempt NHS properties should be extended to hospices.

He said: “Marie Curie would like to see hospices exempt from the proposed workplace parking levy when it is introduced in the Transport (Scotland) Bill.

“The Government has already promised to exclude NHS premises from the levy and hospices should be treated the same.

“With over 50 staff parking spaces at our Glasgow hospice and ten at our Edinburgh hospice, this could be a significant cost, which will need to be met by either our fundraised income or our staff.

“Our hospices provide 24-hour care and support, with a range of staff including nurses, healthcare assistants, cleaners and kitchen staff relying on their cars to get to work.

“Public transport isn't always convenient, especially overnight. We work in partnership with the NHS in Scotland to deliver care and support to over 8,600 people living with a terminal illness, and their families, every year.

“Hospices are facing increasing costs year-on-year and we are calling on MSPs to ensure that this is one less we have to face.”

It comes amid widespread outcry over the new tax plans among business groups, unions and opposition parties.

Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, previously argued the move risked acting as a “disincentive” to teachers taking up jobs in inner city schools.

A similar scheme in Nottingham saw firms forced to pay £415 a year for every staff parking space, with many businesses passing this cost on to employees.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “The proposed levy would only be introduced if local authorities decided to do so, therefore any predicted costs are purely speculation.

“We will be engaging with the Green Party and stakeholders to help shape the specifics. Any amendments will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.”