Legislation update – December 2025

Consultations which opened in December 2025:

DWP – Young People and Work Report

This call for evidence invites feedback to understand drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET). Opened 16/12/2025, closes 30/01/2026.

DfT – Vehicle type approval

A call for evidence has been launched on the approval and marking of road vehicles placed on the market in Great Britain. Opened 18/12/2025, closes 12/02/2026.

DfE – National Professional Qualifications (NPQs): call for insights and evidence

We are seeking both insights on the full suite of NPQs and research evidence which may inform updates to the evidence base underpinning seven NPQ frameworks. Opened 10/12/2025, closes 20/02/2026.

Consultations which closed in December 2025

EA – Proposals for an update to Standard Rules Permit SR2008 No9 storage of asbestos waste

The Environment Agency was looking for views on its proposal for a revised standard rules permit for storage of asbestos waste to improve the design and operation of permitted facilities in the asbestos waste sector. Opened 29/09/2025, closed 22/12/2025.

DfE – DfE Consultation: Future Essential Digital Skills Standards – Employer Insights

The Department for Education (DfE) was reviewing the Essential Digital Skills (EDS) standards at Entry Levels 1-3 and Levels 1-2. These standards underpin national qualifications that help adults and young people develop the digital skills needed for life and work. Essential digital skills for work are the baseline digital competencies that almost all workers need to confidently use digital devices, applications and services in a professional setting, regardless of their job role or sector. Examples include managing emails, using collaboration tools and handling online security. Before drafting the revised standards, it gathered insights from employers. Opened 21/11/2025, Closed 19/12/2025.

Logistics UK responded to this consultation, a summary of the response is below:

Logistics UK highlights that digital skills are now fundamental across all roles in the logistics sector and are becoming more advanced as technology adoption accelerates. Employees routinely use productivity software, communication tools, cloud platforms, sector-specific systems and increasingly AI-enabled and data-driven tools. Key essential skills include basic digital literacy, confident use of sector systems, digital communication, data interpretation, cyber awareness and adaptability.

The most significant gaps among new entrants relate to confidence, data literacy, cyber awareness and familiarity with logistics specific systems rather than access to technology. Looking ahead, automation, robotics, AI, advanced data analytics, digital border systems and low-carbon technologies will drive further change, requiring continuous upskilling and systems thinking. Employers primarily rely on on-the-job learning and vendor led training but face barriers including cost, time pressures, limited awareness of provision and lack of flexible funding for short, system-specific training. Greater investment would be encouraged by employer-aligned, modular training, improved signposting, flexible funding mechanisms and clearer progression pathways linked to recognised credentials and career development.

DBT – Make Work Pay: trade union right of access – GOV.UK 

DBT wanted views on its proposals to change standard rules permits to reflect the new decarbonisation readiness requirements. Opened 23/10/2025, closed 18/12/2025.

Logistics UK responded to this consultation with the following recommendations:

• Prioritise voluntary agreements and exclude sites with voluntary agreements or existing recognition.

• Extend response and negotiation periods to allow genuine engagement.

• Require prior dialogue and H&S-compliant planning.

• Limit scope to workers not already covered by collective agreements.

• Adopt bi-annual or quarterly frequency.

• Resource CAC adequately and introduce safeguards.

• Keep fines proportionate and aligned.

DBT – Make Work Pay: duty to inform workers of right to join a union

DBT were consulting on how the new legal framework for trade unions’ right of access into workplaces should work in practice, seeking views on the practical and operational details of the framework. Opened 23/10/2025, closed 18/12/2025.

DBT – Unlocking business: reform driven by you

This questionnaire asked businesses to tell government about regulation which is not fit for purpose and unjustifiably inhibits growth, innovation and investment. Opened 21/10/2025, closed 16/12/2025.

Logistics UK responded to this consultation. A summary of the paper:

• This business questionnaire is central to delivering the Government’s commitment to cutting the administrative costs of regulation. It will build on measures already announced, including in the Regulatory Action Plan, published in March. It will also build on the Industrial Strategy, published in June, and on the evidence received about regulation in response to the Green Paper which preceded it.

• The purpose of this business questionnaire is to examine the specifics of the regulatory system and focus on those precise regulations and processes which are not fit for purpose and unjustifiably inhibiting growth, innovation, and investment.

• Logistics UK believe outdated regulations are a major contributor to the UK’s declining logistics performance, weakening the country’s productivity and competitiveness. Logistics businesses are seeking to deliver their services safely, sustainably and efficiently, but several areas of regulation impose unnecessary administrative burdens and costs, harming our sector’s sustainability and efficiency, which holds back UK growth.

DBT – Pan-Euro Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin (PEM)

The government wanted to find concrete ways to make it easier for UK businesses to trade with international partners. Opened 17/11/2025, closed 15/12/2025.

OFGEM – Reselling gas and electricity: Maximum Resale Price direction

OFGEM sought views on reselling gas and electricity, and whether the Maximum Resale Price protects consumers, enables investment, and provides fair pricing. Opened 09/10/2025, closed 04/12/2025.

Announcements, December 2025

30/12/2025 – DfT – Mitigating emissions of fine particulate matter from road transport

Review of current and future technologies for mitigating emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the wearing of brakes, tyres and road surfaces.

30/12/2025 – DfT – Fine particulate matter from road wear and dust resuspension

Study on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from road wear and dust resuspension and their contribution to air pollution.

23/12/2025 – DfI – Goods Vehicle Licensing – Rules on drivers’ hours and tachographs

This guide provides advice to drivers and operators of goods vehicles, whether used privately or commercially. It explains the rules for drivers’ hours and the keeping of records and it replaces the previous publication Drivers’ Hours and Tachograph rules for goods vehicles, Northern Ireland and Europe.

The Department has also developed guidance to provide the goods vehicle industry with detailed information on the drivers’ hours and working time rules, how to deal with emergency and urgent situations, particularly when and how to request a temporary relaxation of the rules.

22/12/2025 – OTC – New Traffic Commissioner appointed in Scotland

Following a fair and open recruitment campaign, Sharon Clelland was appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as a Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain and will be deployed by the Senior Traffic Commissioner to the Scottish traffic area.

19/12/2025 – DVSA – Approved tachograph centre special notice 03-25

Includes updates on the end of the transitional smart 2 tachograph period and annual fee renewal for approved tachograph centres.

19/12/2025 – DfT – EM on TCA Specialised Committee Decisions on Road Transport

The government’s summary of three UK-EU TCA Specialised Committee decisions on road transport.

18/12/2025 – TAG data book

Added ‘Forthcoming change: updates to road freight values of travel time’.

18/12/2025 – VCA – Dual marking vehicles under the GB type-approval scheme

Understanding the barriers to dual marking GB scheme approved vehicles and how these barriers may be reduced or removed.

17/12/2025 – DfT – Road safety statistics: data tables

Table RAS0203 updated with 2024 data for rail, air and water.

17/12/2025 – DfT – Transport Statistics Great Britain

Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2025 published.

16/12/2025 – DfT – Changes to international maritime law

Ministerial statement on UK maritime law updates from 1 January 2026, implementing international safety and pollution changes and related UK regulations.

15/12/2025 – DfT – National Highways variable speed camera anomaly

Drivers do not need to take any action at this stage.

15/12/2025 – DVSA – Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA): buses and coaches

Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) if you’re making or importing a single bus or coach, or a very small number of buses or coaches.

15/12/2025 – DVSA – Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA): lorries and goods vehicles

Apply for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) if you’re making or importing a single lorry or a very small number of lorries or goods vehicles.

12/12/2025 – DVSA – Receiving prohibition clearances by email

From 2 February 2026, you’ll receive your prohibition clearance notice called a PG10, automatically by email within 24 hours of your vehicle passing its prohibition clearance test. The email will be sent directly to the operator whose email address linked to the vehicle on the Vehicle Operator Licencing (VOL) system.

10/12/2025 – DVSA – MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles

Brakes – Change to 1.4.1 ‘Performance’ to make the instructions for brake testing 4WD/AWD vehicles on a roller brake tester clearer.

10/12/2025 – List of ports using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

The Warrenpoint entry in the ‘Moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland’ section has been updated. The Heysham and Liverpool entries in the ‘Moving goods out of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) section have been updated. An entry for Plymouth has been added to the ‘Locations providing Offices of Transit digitally’. The Heysham, Liverpool and Warrenpoint entries in the ‘Locations providing Offices of Transit digitally’ section have been updated.

09/12/2025 – DVSA – International road haulage permits for some non-EU countries

Updated the bilateral permit application form to the latest version.

08/12/2025 – DVSA – DVSA earned recognition: vehicle operator standards

Updated contact details for courses approved by DVSA on TfL Contractual Requirements audit standards: DVSA earned recognition.

04/12/2025 – DfT – Next step on the UK rollout of self-driving vehicles as public, charities and businesses asked for their views

Have your say on the framework that will ensure self-driving technology is safely introduced on Britain’s roads.

04/12/2025 – DVSA – Drivers’ hours and tachographs: goods vehicles

Tachograph rules – From 24 December 2026, all newly registered goods vehicles must have a full smart 2 tachograph fitted.

04/12/2025 – DVSA – ECMT international road haulage permits

The phone number for the DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office has changed.

03/12/2025 – DfT – Government boost for businesses to drive freight innovation

Funding of up to £130,000 will be paid out to nine small and medium-sized firms, exploring ways to solve challenges within the freight and logistics industry.

08/12/2025 – DVSA – DVSA earned recognition: vehicle operator standards

Added new courses approved by DVSA to TfL Contractual Requirements audit standards: DVSA earned recognition.