Teachers should be exempt from any new workplace car park tax in the same way NHS workers are, the Scottish Conservatives have said.

In the budget Derek Mackay, Finance Secretary, announced plans to allow councils to charge the levy on staff car parking but said NHS staff would be exempt.

The Tories are arguing that teachers should get eh same exemption otherwise they will face cash being clawed back form any pay deal currently being negotiated.

Murdo Fraser finance Spokesman said a similar scheme in England cost workers £400 a year to park at work.

He said: “If the SNP wants to crash ahead with this unpopular and ridiculous car park tax plan, the least it could do is exempt teachers.

“The nationalists find themselves in an absurd position of negotiating a pay rise for teachers, while threatening to charge them hundreds of pounds a year for the sake of driving to work.”

The Tory MSP warned it could lead to teachers taking the industrial action they have balloted for

He added: “If Derek Mackay thinks NHS workers are worthy of exemptions, then so too are teachers.”

He also said small firms must be consulted on the potential impact.