Hampshire County Council made more than £1 million from car parking charges last year.

The figures show that the council’s income from both off-street and on-street parking increased in 2024/25, reaching over £5 million before expenses were deducted.

According to data released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the council’s net income after costs for off-street parking was £668,000, while on-street parking generated a surplus of £613,000.

These figures represent an increase from £443,000 and £405,000, respectively, in the previous year.

The county council’s car parking income in 2024/25, before considering any costs for employees and running expenses, was £5.339 million.

However, a spokesperson from the county council said that these figures have since been updated by the local authority and are expected to be published by the DLUHC in due course.

They added that the income generated from parking charges is used to cover the costs of enforcement and other parking-related expenses.

The spokesperson said: “In the meantime, any income derived from parking charges is used to offset the costs of enforcement and parking related overheads.

“Should an unplanned surplus in income arise, local authorities are allowed to use it for other very specific purposes.

“These could include improving public transport or roads, as well as traffic management and safety schemes.”