Legislation update – June 2021

It seeks evidence on the night flight restrictions at the designated airports beyond 2024 including: structure of the government’s night noise quota count system, length of the future regime, and future movement and noise quota allowances. The consultation also seeks views on our national night flight policy, including on the health impacts of aviation noise at night and the economic value of night flights plus the emergence of new technology. Released 04/03/2021 – extended to 03/09/2021.  

DIT – Trade with India: call for input 

Seeking input on which aspects of our current trading arrangements with India we should look to improve or amend. Closes 31/08/2021. 

DfT – Street and roadworks – further reform 

Proposals for further reforms to legislation covering utility street and highway authority road works including changes to permit schemes and to the data that needs to be provided to Street Manager. Released 28/05/2021 – closes 23/07/2021. 

Kent County Council – Prohibition of waiting HGVs 5 tonnes and over

Proposal to introduce a prohibition of waiting 24/7 on all roads for Prohibited Vehicles of 5 tonnes and over across the boroughs of Ashford, Maidstone and Swale and the districts of Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe and Thanet, with the exception of the laybys off the A249 between M20 J7 and M2 J5, the A299 M2 J2 with the A256, and the A256 junction with A299 to the junction with A2. The Order came into effect on 4 January 2021 on an experimental basis for a period of eighteen months. Closes 03/07/2021. 

NI Department for Economy – Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland

Responses to this consultation will help inform the new Energy Strategy that will be published by the end of 2021. Includes a new strategic framework that outlines Government’s proposed vision for the Energy Strategy, a range of illustrative energy scenarios to visualise how different potential future energy systems could be, and a series of potential policy options structured around Government’s proposed principles, accompanied by consultation questions from information provided through the Call for Evidence. Released 31/03/2021, closes 30/06/2021.

Scottish Government – Local place plans: proposals for regulations 

Scottish Government wishes to consult on community-led plans providing proposals for the development and use of land. Introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, these plans will set out a community’s aspirations for its future development. Released 15/03/2021, closes 25/06/2021.

DfT – Operation Brock: removing sunset clauses and provisions for EU Exit and COVID-19 pandemic from existing traffic management legislation 

Consultation seeking views on the proposed updating and amendment of three Statutory Instruments (SIs) underpinning traffic management contingency plans to mitigate traffic disruption in Kent known as Operation Brock. Closes 18/6/2021. 

BEIS – Introducing a performance-based policy framework in large commercial and industrial buildings  

This consultation sets out the government’s proposals to introduce a national performance-based policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of commercial and industrial buildings above 1,000m² in England and Wales, with annual ratings and mandatory disclosure as the first step. The consultation is in two parts: the strategy paper outlines the rationale for the policy, its aims and proposals on how to implement it, and the consultation on phase one of the policy, which sets out proposals for implementing annual performance-based ratings in commercial and industrial offices above 1,000m² in England and Wales. Released 17/03/2021, closes 09/06/2021.  

HMRC – Raising standards in the tax advice market  

The government is publishing a call for evidence to begin to explore the opportunities and challenges of more frequent payment of Income Tax within Income Tax Self-Assessment, and of Corporation Tax for small companies, based on in-year information. Released 23/03/2021, closes 15/06/2021.  

BEIS – Role of biomass in achieving net zero: call for evidence 

This call for evidence aims to strengthen the government’s evidence base around biomass and will contribute to a review of the potential for biomass to support the UK’s net zero target. Released 20/04/2021 – closes 15/06/2021. 

HMRC – Call for evidence: the tax administration framework: supporting a 21st century tax system  

HMRC is seeking views on how the tax administration framework could be updated and simplified to provide a better experience for individuals and organisations. Released 23/03/2021, closes 13/07/2021.  

Recently closed consultations     

DfT – Safe use rules for automated vehicles (AV) 

Proposes amendments to The Highway Code to introduce a new section regarding rules for the safe use of automated vehicles on motorways. 

Released 28/04/2021 – closes 28/05/2021. 

DfE – Flexi-job apprenticeships: reshaping the role of apprenticeship training agencies 

This consultation considers how flexi-job apprenticeship schemes can support the growth of apprenticeships in sectors where short-term and project-based contracts are the norm. 

Released 20/04/2021 – Closes 01/06/2021. 

Announcements, April/May 2021  

21 May 2021 (OZEV) Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging statstics: April 2021 

Information on experimental statistics on the number of grants awarded for the installation of electric vehicle charging devices in the UK and EV charging infrastructure statistics, including publicly available devices and grants provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Device grant statistics; Infrastructure statistics 

13 May 2021 (DfT) Vehicle licensing statistics: 2020 

Annual statistics relating to licensed vehicles and new vehicle registrations in Great Britain, including end of December 2020. DfT 

12 May 2021 (DfT) Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) guidance: 2021 

Information on complying, reporting and verifying with the RTFO process for fuel suppliers, independent verifiers and those supplying road transport biofuels. DfT 

11 May 2021 (OZEV) Electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics 

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics, including publicly available devices and grants provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). DfT 

11 May 2021 (DfT) Transport and environment statistics: 2021 

Environmental impacts of transport, including comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions for different transport modes. DfT 

11 May 2021 (DfT) Electric vehicle charging device statistics information 

Guide to electric vehicle charging device statistics, source documents, accompanying notes, definitions and supporting technical documents. DfT 

10 May 2021 (DfT/BSI) New guidance published to prevent use of vehicles as weapons in terror attacks 

Robust new security measures introduced to prevent criminals and terrorists from accessing commercial vehicles. Published by British Standards Institute (BSI) and sponsored by DfT. BSI 

10 May 2021 (Transport for North) Business Plan launched 

Business Plan for 2021/22 sets out how, in providing one voice for the North, TfN will make transport in the North sustainable and inclusive, and grow the region’s economy. Transport for the North  

4 May 2021 (DfT) RTFO Annual Report 2019 

Annual report on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation for the financial year of 2019. DfT 

20 April 2021 (No.10) 6th Carbon Budget – 78% by 2035 

The UK’s sixth Carbon Budget will incorporate the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions for the first time, to bring the UK more than three-quarters of the way to net zero by 2050. Multi Dept 

20 April 2021 (HE) Highways England first year progress report on smart motorways stocktake 

Highways England first year progress report on the All Lanes Running motorways stocktake sent to DfT. DfT 

15 April 2021 (DfT) Van Statistics 2019-2020 

Statistics and data about vans and their use in Great Britain. (Updated from initial publication 10 Sep 2020) DfT 

1 April 2021 (DfT) DfT and transport NDPB organisational charts 

DfT and non-departmental public bodies (NDPB) structure charts and organisational data. DfT 

44279 (HE) Highways England report on All Lane Running motorways 

Highways England anniversary report on ALR motorways sent to DfT DfT