Prime Minister David Cameron and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls have clashed over introducing free parking in Barnet.

The Times Series launched the campaign for 30 minutes' free parking in the borough’s high streets and car parks in January, after hearing of the plight of many traders.

During a visit to North Finchley last week, Labour’s Ed Balls gave his backing to the campaign, which he said would help small businesses.

He said: “We’ve got to get money into people’s pockets, that’s the issue - are people spending, coming out to cafes like this?

“As a general rule, I never sign petitions. However, on this particular one - I think it’s important, in politics always to have a rule, and to every now and then make an exception.”

Jimmy Apostolou, owner of Garland Electronics, said 30 minutes would help “a hell of a lot”.

The 73-year-old added: “I don’t think they are listening. They don’t understand.”

But Prime Minister David Cameron criticised Ed Balls for backing the campaign, and raised questions about the costs of free parking.

Speaking during a visit to Colindale yesterday, he said: “Ed Balls is taking people for fools because people can see they’ve said there will be cuts in local government and they should take any promises they make during this campaign with a very big pinch of salt.”