The government has reaffirmed its determination to do away with "overzealous" parking restrictions.

Communities and Local Government Minister Baroness Stowell of Beeston warned parking policy could have a significant impact on local businesses.

If parking was too expensive or difficult, shoppers would drive to out-of-town stores or shop on-line "undermining the vitality of town centres and leading to ghost town high streets".

At question time in the Lords, she said: "The Government intends to support local shops in town centres by reforming overzealous and unfair rules on parking enforcement."

Tory Baroness Williams of Trafford called for ministers to clamp down on car parking rules used as "revenue raisers" for local authorities.

Lady Stowell said total income and net profits for local authorities from parking more than doubled under the last Labour government and councils were still making net profits.

She acknowledged there was public concern about parking enforcement being used as a "cash cow".

The Government had just completed consultation on new measures to tackle the problem and was considering responses before announcing what action it would take.

For the Opposition, Lord McKenzie of Luton asked why the three London councils with the highest parking charges and fines per person were all Conservative led.

To laughter and jeers, Lady Stowell insisted the "problem" had started under the previous government, with councils urged on by ministers then.

She said the Government was undertaking a review because it felt parking measures were having a "negative effect on the vitality of our high streets and towns".