BBC Strictly judge support for south Essex hospital staff petition

The Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, which manages Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals, announced this week that free hospital parking for staff will be scrapped in October.

In a show of support for the hospital workers, Craig Revel Horwood, known for his scathing critiques on the judging panel of BBC's hit reality show, has signed a Unison petition against making staff "pay to come to work".

Support - Craig Revel Horwood (Image: PA)

Sharing the petition on X - formerly Twitter - Revel Horwood said: "I've signed UNISON Eastern's petition asking [Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust] not to reintroduce staff parking charges. Add your name!"

The free parking was initially introduced at the start of the Covid pandemic before being extended in 2022. Now, the hospital trust has said it must end free parking because it faces “significant financial losses".

However, the move has sparked backlash with the Unison union branding it a "new tax on staff for coming to work".

Unison Eastern regional organiser Sam Older said: “MSEFT is trying to place a new tax on staff for coming to work.

“Nurses, porters, cleaners and many other NHS staff work long shifts, making it hard to rely on public transport. They just don’t have a choice about driving to work.

“The trust tried to reintroduce charges two years ago, but did a U-turn after staff, patients and thousands of other people across Essex stood up and said No.

“We hope senior managers see the light again. It’s not up to workers to pay the price for MSEFT’s financial woes.”

The Strictly judge has visited and performed in south Essex multiple times over the years, starring in Annie at Cliffs Pavilion in 2019 as well as in the Westcliff theatre's Snow White pantomime in 2013. Most recently, he brought his latest show to Basildon's Towngate Theatre last month.