Parking charges will be suspended for NHS staff, volunteers and social care workers, the Local Government Association has announced.

The LGA and the Government have agreed a scheme for all NHS trusts to provide free parking for staff "for the duration of Covid-19" in car parks and on-street.

The Department of Health added it would cover the cost of car parks for NHS staff at hospitals.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Our NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time.

"So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England.

"My enormous gratitude goes out to the many NHS Trusts and other organisations already providing free car parking and I urge other Trusts to do the same with our backing."

The LGA said it was also urging councils to waive all fines received by health and social care workers while carrying out their extended duties in recent days.