Legislation update – July 2025

Scottish Government – Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 – Scottish Government consultations – Citizen Space

This public consultation provides an important opportunity for stakeholders – from local authorities, community representatives, and operators, to individual passengers and freight customers – to help define what the future service should look like. Opened 22/07/2025 – closes 13/10/2025.

 

DfT – Automated passenger services: permitting scheme – GOV.UK

The new scheme is intended to be flexible and avoid the various challenges of applying existing legislation. Introducing this scheme is intended to provide greater regulatory confidence for businesses to deploy services and build an understanding of viable commercial models. Opened 21/07/2025 – closes 28/09/2025.

DBT – Network Charging Compensation Scheme uplift for energy intensive industries – GOV.UK

Department for Business and Trade are seeking views on uplifting the relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90%. Opened 18/07/2025 – closes 15/08/2025.

 

Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Consultation – Merchant Shipping (International Safety Management) Code Regulations

Consultation on a revised approach to International Safety Management Code Regulations following the UK’s exit from the EU. Opened 17/07/2025 – closes 04/08/2025.

 

DEFRA – UK REACH: Extending dossier submission deadlines for transitional registrations – GOV.UK

Seeking views on proposals to extend the current UK REACH submission deadlines for transitional registrations. Opened 14/07/2025 – closes 08/09/2025.

 

MHC&LC – Private parking code of practice – GOV.UK

Seeking views on proposals to raise standards across the private parking industry ahead of preparing a new code of practice. Opened 11/07/2025 – closes 02/09/2025.

 

Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Consultation on Merchant Shipping Port State Control Regulations

Consultation on updates to Convention list and revised approach to Port State Control Regulations following the UK’s exit from the EU. Opened 04/07/2025 – closes 01/08/2025.

 

Consultations which closed in July 2025

 

DfT – Proposed revision of the national policy statement for ports

Draft revised national policy statement for ports. Closed 29/07/2025.

 

HM Treasury – Consultation on the VAT treatment of business donations of goods to charity

The government sought views on the introduction and design of a VAT relief on goods donated to charities to give away free of charge or use in the delivery of their services. Closed 21/07/2025.

 

 

Announcements, July 2025

 

31/07/2025 – FCDO – Joint Committee Decisions on the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community [TS No.33/2025]

This treaty was presented to Parliament in July 2025.

 

30/07/2025 – VCA – Certificate of conformity for new vehicles – GOV.UK

The original timetable for implementation of the eCoC system has been revised due to a number of delivery challenges. VCA expect the new system will now be ready to receive eCoC data in the first half of 2026 on a voluntary basis from manufacturers before it goes live in the summer. Please be assured there is no legal obligation on manufacturers to provide eCoC data for vehicles manufactured before 5 July 2026.

 

29/07/2025 – DVSA – Where you can retrofit blind spot information systems (BSIS) on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) – GOV.UK

Examples of where blind spot information system (BSIS) devices can be retrofitted on different types of HGV to meet MOT requirements.

 

24/07/2025 – DVSA – HGV conspicuity marking rules

How to follow the rules about the conspicuity markings that must be fitted to all HGVs.

 

24/07/2025 – DfT – Automated vehicles and sanctions systems

Identifies how regulators in different sectors apply sanctions, and what can be learnt to inform the use of sanctions under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.

 

15/07/2025 – DEFRA – Reforming the waste exemptions system

DEFRA and the Welsh government’s approach to tackling abuse of the waste exemptions system.

 

15/07/2025 – DfT – Discount of up to £3,750 on electric cars set to slash costs for thousands

Car manufacturers can apply for the Electric Car Grant from 16 July 2025.

 

14/07/2025 – DVSA – Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: vans and light goods vehicles

Updated to the latest version of the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: light goods vehicles (N1).

 

14/07/2025 – DVSA – Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: cars

Updated to the latest version of the individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1).

 

09/07/2025 – DfT – Ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses

EU rules for drivers’ hours have been replaced with assimilated rules for drivers’ hours.

 

08/07/2025 – DfT – Transforming the UK’s road and rail networks

Outlines the five strategic road schemes and five key rail upgrades that will support 42,000 jobs and pave the way for 1.5 million new UK homes.

 

03/07/2025 – DfT – Heavy vehicle testing review: call for evidence

DfT will not take forward further changes to heavy vehicle testing, as reflected in the ‘Heavy vehicle testing review next steps: July 2025 update’.

 

01/07/2025 – DfT – New Permanent Secretary at Department for Transport 

Jo Shanmugalingam has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport, taking over from Bernadette Kelly.