Legislation update – January 2023

Consultations which opened in January 2024 

DfI - Increase of the Maximum Authorised Weights for Certain Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles and Certain Zero Emission Vehicles 

This Consultation is seeking your views on a proposed increase of maximum permitted weights for certain alternatively fuelled vehicles or zero emission vehicles (mainly HGVs) within Northern Ireland. The increase is not a measure to improve road safety but is a focus on Climate Change which supports the reduction of harmful carbon emissions.  

This consultation will be of interest if you, or your organization, own or operate, or plan to own or operate in the future, any alternatively fuelled or zero emission vehicles, mainly heavy goods vehicles (HGV’s). Released 18/01/2024 - closes 13/03/2024. 

DESNZ - Empowering drivers and boosting competition in the road fuel retail market 

DESNZ are seeking views on an open data scheme and ongoing monitoring function for road fuel prices. Released 16/01/2024 - closes 12/03/2024. 

Home Office - Home Office type approval of road traffic law enforcement devices 

Call for evidence to support a review of Home Office type approval of road traffic law enforcement devices used by the police and other law enforcement agencies. Released 15/01/2024 - closes 14/02/2024. 

DfT - Street works: fines and lane rental surplus funds 

Seeks views on proposals for reforms to street works legislation covering surplus lane rental funds, fixed penalty notices and weekend overruns. Released 15/01/2024 - closes 11/03/2024. 

DfT - Extending the emission control area to all UK waters 

Extending the emission control area to all UK waters. Released 09/01/2024 - closes 04/03/2024. 

DfI - Call for Evidence: Future Focused Review of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) on the issue of Climate Change 

The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the proposed areas of focus for a potential future focused review of the SPPS and to invite the submission of evidence on the relevant factors that can assist with determining the best way forward. Released 03/01/2024 - closes 28/03/2024. 

Consultations which closed in January 2024 

Welsh Government – Road Safety Strategy 

Welsh Government wanted to hear views about road safety, so they can understand people's priorities and how to make roads safe for all. Released 08/11/2023 - closed 31/01/2024. 

Urban Transport Group - Rail and Urban Transport Review 

In December 2023, an independent Rail and Urban Transport Review was established to examine how a future government could accelerate connectivity within and between the UK’s key urban areas. Released 21/12/2023 - closed 26/01/2024. 

HMT - Spring Budget 2024 representations 

Guidance for submitting Spring Budget 2024 representations to the Treasury. Released 27/12/2023 - closed 24/01/2024. 

DBT - Smarter regulation and the regulatory landscape 

Call for evidence on what works and what could be improved across the landscape of UK regulators. Released 17/10/2023 - closed 17/01/2024. 

European Scrutiny Committee - EU Entry/Exit and the UK border 

The European Union’s (EU) proposals to introduce a new Entry/Exit System to replace manual passport stamping will usher in a new way of handling people leaving the UK to holiday in the Schengen Area. Released 06/11/2023 - closed 12/01/2024. 

CAA – Hydrogen Sandbox 

The Civil Aviation Authority invited industry, academia, and organisations to join its Regulatory Sandbox to test hydrogen technologies that support the use of hydrogen as an aviation fuel. The tests would identify hazards, risks, safety challenges and gaps in current CAA regulations and evaluate the proposed mitigations through verification and validation.  Released 27/11/2023 - closed 10/01/2024. 

Announcements, January 2024 

31/01/2024 - DfT - Electric vehicle charging device statistics: January 2024 

The number of publicly available electric vehicle charging devices in the UK. 

30/01/2024 - Multi Department - Low Pay Commission announces new Chair and Commissioners 

Baroness Philippa Stroud has been announced as the new chair of the Low Pay Commission 

26/01/2024 - DVSA - DVSA services – industrial action by PCS 

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) served DVSA notice of strike action on: 

8 and 9 February – all PCS members in DVSA including driving examiners and customer service centre agents. 

10 and 11 February – any PCS members in DVSA contracted to work weekends. 

26/01/2024 - DfT - Heavy vehicle testing review: call for evidence outcome 

The call for evidence outcome has now been published. 

26/01/2024 - DfT - £33 million boost to turn green ports and ships into a reality 

Funding awarded to 33 projects across the UK to develop clean maritime technologies. 

25/01/2024 - DfT - Rail factsheet: 2023 

An overview of key statistics on the rail industry in Great Britain. 

25/01/2024 - Multi Department - Government committed to MOT modernisation as consultation concludes 

First MOT test to remain at 3 years from registration and annually thereafter while government works to establish a programme of longer-term reform for MOTs. 

25/01/2024 - DVSA - MOT consultation: Department for Transport's response 

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published its response to the consultation on modernising MOT testing for cars, motorbikes and vans. 

24/01/2024 - HMRC - Off-payroll working (IR35) factsheet 

This factsheet provides an overview of off-payroll working rules, the tribunals process and links to further help and support. 

22/01/2024 - DVSA - Change to Approval Booking Arrangements 

From 1 March 2024 DVSA will be changing the way they use their telephone number for booking a test, paying for a test, or changing an appointment date. 

19/01/2024 - OTC - Announcements regarding the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain 

After four years as Traffic Commissioner for the North-West of England, Gerallt Evans has announced his retirement from the role with effect from 31 January 2024. 

18/01/2024 - DVSA - Moving to a digital first approach for heavy vehicle testing 

From 29 April 2024, DVSA will be introducing a digital first approach for annual test certificates for both HGV and PSV testing. DVSA will stop printing MOT pass certificates, by default, at the time of the test but will continue to print failure certificates for the time being. 

18/01/2024 - DfT - Changes to international maritime law 

SOLAS convention amendments to improve the safety of merchant ships and life at sea will automatically take effect in the UK. 

18/01/2024 - DfT - National Travel Attitudes Study: Wave 9 

Attitudes and experiences relating to cycling, electric vehicles and charging, and local bus travel. 

17/01/2024 - Multi Department - New government funding to boost jobs and hydrogen transport in the North East 

Green hydrogen refuelling station to be built near Middlesbrough, helping to increase economic growth in the area and decarbonise the transport network. 

17/01/2024 - DBT - Industry leaders welcome Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy 

Industry leaders have welcomed the Government’s new Critical Imports and Supply Chain Strategy, safeguarding UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors. 

17/01/2024 - UK critical imports and supply chains strategy 

UK’s first critical imports and supply chain strategy aims to build resilient supply chains and safeguard critical imports 

17/01/2024 - DBT - UK takes action to boost supply chain resilience for critical goods and back businesses 

The Department for Business and Trade launches the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, safeguarding UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors. 

16/01/2024 - Real-time pump prices to drive down fuel costs for motorists 

Consultation launches on new Pumpwatch scheme that will make it easier for drivers to shop around for the cheapest fuel. 

15/01/2024 - DfT - Government to crack down on disruptive street works to cut congestion and improve roads 

New measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads across England. 

15/01/2024 - DfT - Motorcyclists using bus lanes (TAL 1/24) 

Advice for local authorities on allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes. 

11/01/2024 - DBT - Revised Acas code of practice on requests for flexible working 

The revised Acas code on requests for flexible working provides statutory guidance to both employers and employees when dealing with flexible working requests. 

11/01/2024 - OTC - Section 19, Section 19 Large and Section 22 Permits issued under the Transport Act 1985 

All valid, refused, or revoked Section 19, Section 19 Large and Section 22 Permits issued by the Traffic Commissioners under the Transport Act 1985. 

05/01/2024 - DVSA - New LGV driving test centre opens in Ayrshire 

DVSA opened a new large goods vehicles (LGV) practical driving test centre in Dreghorn, Ayrshire on Monday, January 8, 2024. The new facility will replace Ayrshire’s existing LGV test centre at Kilmarnock. 

03/01/2024 - Multi Department - Pathway for zero emission vehicle transition by 2035 becomes law 

80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. 

01/01/2024 - DBT - Simplifying holiday entitlement and holiday pay calculations 

How holiday pay and entitlement has changed from 1 January 2024. 

Published On: 01/02/2024 14:30:00