Legislation update – July 2023

CONSULTATIONS WHICH OPENED IN JULY

DVLA - Driver licensing for people with medical conditions: call for evidence 

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has opened a consultation on driver licensing for people with medical conditions. Released 31/07/2023 - closes 22/10/2023. 

DfLUHC - Private parking code of practice: call for evidence 

The government is seeking to gather evidence to inform a review of parking charges and debt recovery fees in the private parking industry. Released 28/07/2023 – closes 24/09/2023. 

DfLUHC - Operational reforms to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) consenting process 

This consultation seeks views on the details to the operational reforms which the government is looking to make to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) consenting process. Released 25/07/2023 – closes 19/09/2023. 

DfI - All-Island Strategic Rail Review - Strategic Environmental Assessment and Draft Report 

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR) was launched jointly in 2021 by the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Minister for Transport in Ireland. DfI is now seeking opinions on the review’s draft report, and on the reports accompanying the associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process required by law in both jurisdictions. Released 25/07/2023  – closes 29/09/2023. 

DESNZ - Enabling industrial electrification: a call for evidence 

DESNZ is calling for evidence on how to enable industry to switch away from fossil fuels to electricity. Released 19/07/2023 – closes 20/10/2023. 

DfT - Freight and logistics and the planning system: call for evidence 

Seeks views on the interaction between freight and logistics and the planning system in England. Released 04/07/2023 – closes 06/10/2023. 

CONSULTATIONS WHICH CLOSED IN JULY

UK Parliament - MPs to investigate fairness in food prices and supply 

The cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee investigated how profitability and risks are shared through the food supply chain and the existing government system of monitoring and regulation of these. The impact of external factors on the supply chain, such as imported food and global commodity prices, was also examined. Released 12/05/2023 – closed 28/07/2023.

Transport Scotland - Scotland’s Pavement Parking Prohibitions - Consultation on Enforcement Regulations for Local Authorities 

The Scottish Government opened a consultation on pavement parking prohibitions. Released 02/06/2023 – closed 28/07/2023. 

DfT - Proposed instrument to regulate traffic on M20 motorway: call for views 

This consultation considered a proposed statutory instrument to enable National Highways to regulate traffic using Operation Brock after the current temporary traffic regulation order expires. Released 29/06/2023 – closed 27/07/2023. 

Multi department - Shaping the future of England's strategic roads 

Public consultation on National Highways’ strategic road network Initial Report. Released 18/05/2023 – closed 13/07/2023. 

DEFRA - Charging arrangements at government-run border control posts 

This consultation sought views on the government’s plan to introduce a Common User Charge to recover operating costs at government-run border control posts. Released 12/06/2023 – closed 09/07/2023.

OTC - Seeking views on revisions to the voluntary guidelines for operators carrying passengers to designated sporting events. 
The Senior Traffic Commissioner would like to hear industry’s views on the proposed amendments to the voluntary guidelines for operators carrying passengers to designated sporting events. Released 07/06/2023 – closed 06/07/2023. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS, JULY 2023

27/07/2023 - DVSA - Heavy vehicle brake test data published 

DVSA has published the data that sits behind the heavy vehicles brake codes (DTp numbers) used for roller brake testing during the annual test. 

27/07/2023 - DfT - Reported road casualties in Great Britain, involving illegal alcohol levels: 2021 

2021 statistics on drink-drive collisions and casualties. 

25/07/2023 - Multi department - Government launches review of DVLA to strengthen agency for the future 

An independent review will ensure that DVLA can continue to provide a licensing service to motorists and the public. 

25/07/2023 - Multi department - DVLA review 2023 terms of reference 

The terms of reference for the public body review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). 

25/07/2023 - DfT - Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2022 

Rail passenger numbers and crowding statistics in several major cities in England and Wales during 2022. 

21/07/2023 - DfT - National Highways performance report 2022 to 2023 

The Secretary of State for Transport's report to Parliament on the performance of National Highways between 2022 and 2023. 

20/07/2023 - OTC - Traffic Commissioners: annual report 2022 to 2023 

Annual report on major aspects of the Traffic Commissioners' judicial, regulatory and administrative roles between 2022 and 2023. 

20/07/2023 - OTC - Traffic Commissioners’ strategic objectives for 2023 to 2025 

The Traffic Commissioners have set out their key objectives for 2023 to 2025. 

20/07/2023 - DfT - Jet Zero strategy: one year on 

Progress and achievements made since the launch of the Jet Zero strategy and the next steps to deliver net zero aviation by 2050. 

20/07/2023 - DVSA - DVSA annual report and accounts, 2022 to 2023 

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) annual report and accounts of activity and services for 2022 to 2023. 

20/07/2023 - DVSA - Updated load safety code of practice launched by DVSA and HSE 

DVSA has worked with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry stakeholders to publish an updated code of practice on load security.

20/07/2023 - Multi department - Millions to benefit from new flexible working measures 

Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent. 

20/07/2023 - DBT - Strikes Bill becomes law 

Government Bill to introduce minimum service levels during industrial action receives Royal Assent.

19/07/2023 - DBT - Tata Group to invest over £4 billion in UK gigafactory creating thousands of jobs 

Tata Group has announced that it will invest over £4 billion in a new UK gigafactory which will create thousands of jobs. 

19/07/2023 - Multi department - Statutory instrument: The Aviation Statistics Regulations 2023 

These regulations consolidate multiple pieces of retained EU law relating to the collection of aviation statistics by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) into a single piece of domestic legislation. They remove legally unnecessary provisions to create a shorter set of clearer and more accessible regulations. 

19/07/2023 - Port freight annual statistics: 2022 

Annual statistics on UK port freight traffic for 2022. 

13/07/2023 - Multi department - Self-driving vehicles: public perceptions and effective communication 

How people view self-driving vehicles and how to effectively communicate safety information about them. 

13/07/2023 - DfT - Road traffic estimates in Great Britain: 2022 

Road traffic estimates for Great Britain broken down by vehicle type and road type for 2022. 

13/07/2023 - DfT – Road lengths in Great Britain: 2022 

Road length estimates for Great Britain as of April 2022. 

12/07/2023 - Multi department - Driver and rider testing and instructor statistics: April 2022 to March 2023 

Driver standards statistics on the numbers and pass rates for driving, riding theory, practical tests and registered driving and riding instructors. 

11/07/2023 - OZEV - Covered car parks: fire safety guidance for electric vehicles 

Interim guidance on parking or charging electric vehicles (EVs), and the installation of electric vehicle chargepoints, in covered car parks. 

07/07/2023 - DfT - Driving in Great Britain: Ukrainian driving licence exchange 

Driving licence requirements for Ukrainians living in Great Britain on a Ukraine visa scheme. 

07/07/2023 - DfT - Cleaner shipping gets £34 million boost with next round of innovative tech funding 

Funding for the maritime sector to develop sustainable technologies that help connect people, goods and services in a cleaner, greener way. 

03/07/2023 - HMRC - Check if you can claim a waiver for goods brought into Northern Ireland 

You may be able to claim a waiver for goods brought into Northern Ireland so that you do not have to pay duty on those goods. 

03/07/2023 - DESNZ - Tighter limit on industrial, power and aviation emissions, as UK leads the way to net zero 

Published On: 03/08/2023 13:00:00