The money raised by parking charges and fines in England has reached almost £1 billion a year, according to new government figures.

The 12 inner London boroughs collected £294 million last year, compared with £190 million in 1997.

Meanwhile, the FT reports that local councils could be given the power to introduce local congestion charges in return for cutting council tax rates.

And transport secretary Alistair Darling yesterday announced a consultation on extending a toll road from Birmingham to Manchester.