Conservative ministers introduced a series of pro-car measures yesterday and declared the end of Labour's alleged "war on motorists", says the Independent.

The communities secretary Eric Pickles and transport secretary Philip Hammond scrapped rules forcing councils to impose higher parking charges, limit car spaces in new housing developments and obtain planning permission for recharging points for electric vehicles.

They said drivers would benefit from lower parking fees and more space, while streets would become less congested.

Labour accused the Coalition of trying to distract drivers from sharp rises in petrol prices caused by this month's rise in duty and VAT.