Seeks views on proposals to give metro mayors and their combined authorities greater decision-making powers and accountability for Key Route Networks (KRNs). Released 30/07/2021, closes 24/09/2021.
TfL – Congestion Charge changes
Last year, in response to the transport challenges of the pandemic and the government’s emergency funding of Transport for London (TfL), temporary changes were made to the Congestion Charge. This included extending its charging hours until 22:00 each day and increasing the charge level to £15. TfL is now consulting on new proposals. The proposals include reducing the charging hours to between 07:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 to 18:00 at weekends. Released 28/07/2021, closes 06/10/2021.
BEIS – UK Emissions Trading Scheme: proposed amendments
This consultation sets out the UK government and devolved administration proposed technical amendments to the UK ETS legislation, which is accompanied by two draft Statutory Instruments. This consultation is of particular interest to individual companies, aviation sectors with obligations under the UK ETS. Released 28/07/2021, closes 07/09/2021.
Scottish Affairs Select Committee – Airports in Scotland
The Committee calls for evidence to be submitted on the following issues. What has been the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and reduced flights on Scottish airports and local communities, including tourism? How do airports support the local and regional job market? How effective is the movement of air freight for essential supplies in rural or isolated airports? Is there a sufficient level of investment in the infrastructure around airports in Scotland? How will airspace modernisation affect Scottish airports? What schemes are in place to reduce the carbon footprint of airports? Released 27/07/2021, closes 06/10/2021.
DfT – Mandating the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the UK
Proposes the introduction of an obligation on fuel suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of jet fuel used in the UK, to be achieved through greater use of sustainable aviation fuels. Released 23/07/2021, closes 19/09/2021.
House of Commons, Environmental Audit Committee – Net zero aviation and shipping
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has announced that it is to look at how the aviation and shipping sectors can best achieve net zero emissions. Released 20/07/2021, closes 03/09/2021.
BEIS – Role of vehicle-to-X energy technologies in a net zero energy system: call for evidence
Views invited on the role of V2X technologies in the energy system, the barriers that might be preventing this and the role of government. Released 20/07/2021, closes 12/10/2021.
HMRC – Draft legislation: Plastic Packaging Tax
Comes into force in April 2022 – this consultation is looking at adding a new tax that will apply to plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic. Plastic packaging is packaging that is predominantly plastic by weight. Released 20/07/2021, closes 17/08/2021.
HSE – The proposed changes to The Personal Protective Equipment at Work 1992 Regulations (PPER)
HSE is consulting on changes to the PPER 1992. The consultation can be accessed via HSE Consultation Hub from 19/07/2021 and runs for weeks. The aim of the consultation is to understand the impact on stakeholders and businesses of extending the scope of the employers’ duties under the PPER to workers and not only employees. Released 19/07/2021, closes 15/08/2021.
DOE – National Skills Fund
This consultation invites views on areas such as, how government can ensure the free level 3 qualifications and Skills Bootcamps are even more accessible to a wide range of people. How to ensure the free level 3 qualifications and Skills Bootcamps meet the needs of a range of employers. And where the skills system could do more to meet priority skills needs below degree level. Released 15/07/2021, closes 16/09/2021.
DfT – CO2 emissions regulatory framework for all newly sold road vehicles in the UK
We are seeking views on the proposed regulatory framework for the UK with regard to all newly sold road vehicles. It includes defining the ‘significant zero emission capability’ that all new hybrid cars and vans will be required to deliver from 2030 to 2035. Released 14/07/2021, closes 22/09/2021.
DfT – Heavy goods vehicles: ending the sale of new non-zero emission models
The Department is seeking views on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK. whether to increase the maximum permissible weights for zero emission and alternatively fuelled HGVs completing domestic journeys. The end of sale dates for new non-zero emission HGVs will be enforced through the green paper on a new road vehicle CO2 emissions regulatory framework for the United Kingdom. Released 14/07/2021, closes 03/09/2021.
DfT – Jet Zero – Achieving Net Zero by 2050
Sets out the government’s proposed approach and principles to reach net zero aviation by 2050. The consultation will inform the final jet zero strategy. Released 14/07/2021, closes 08/09/2021.
Highways England – Lower Thames Crossing - community impacts consultation
This Community Impacts Consultation will provide an opportunity to review and comment on plans to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing. Topics include changes to traffic, air quality, noise and vibration, as well as the impact of the new crossing on the environment and landscape. Released 14/07/2021, closes 08/09/2021.
Welsh Government – Proposal to reduce the speed limit to 20mph on residential streets
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its proposals to limit the speed limit in villages, towns, and cities to 20mph. This follows announcements made by the First Minister for Wales in 2019, and the launch of a Taskforce Group, under Lee Waters, in 2020. Released 09/07/2021, closes 01/10/2021.
BEIS – Strengthening the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
This consultation seeks views on proposed measures to strengthen the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures and increase the benefits for participating businesses. Released 06/07/2021, closes 28/09/2021.
Ofgem – Access and Forward-looking Charges Significant Code Review - Consultation on Minded to Positions
Seeking views on Ofgem's ‘minded-to’ proposals relating to fast-tracked areas of the Access and Forward-looking Charging Significant Code Review, including their proposals for: distribution connection charging, definition and choice of access rights, and transmission charging for small distributed generation. Released 30/06/2021, closes 25/08/2021.
DfT – Changes to the UK operator licensing regime and arrangements for the temporary posting of workers in the UK and EU: request for evidence
Consultation asking for evidence and views on changes to the operator licensing regime within the UK that need to be made following the conclusion of the EU trade agreements. The changes to the operator licensing regime include an extension to cover vehicles that weigh more than 2.5 tonnes used for hire and reward on international journeys. And the posting of workers proposal is designed to ensure that an employee carrying out a service in an EU member state on a temporary basis has rights. Released 29/06/2021, closes 24/08/2021.
Scottish Government – Workplace parking licensing regulations and guidance
This consultation on Workplace Parking Licensing (WPL) Scheme regulations and guidance seeks views on the regulatory framework and supporting guidance which will underpin local authorities’ WPL schemes. Released 11/06/2021, closes 06/09/2021.
Transport for the North – Decarbonisation Strategy
Transport for the North want feedback on their draft Decarbonisation Strategy. They are carrying out a public consultation on the strategy and proposed future decarbonisation activities. Released 07/06/2021, closes 31/08/2021.
DIT – Trade with India: Call for Input
Government is seeking input on which aspects of our current trading arrangements with India we should look to improve or amend. Released 25/05/2021, closes 31/08/2021.
DfT – Night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports between 2022 and 2024 plus future night flight policy
Consultation seeking views and evidence on revising the night flight dispensation guidance, allowing airport operators and the Secretary of State for Transport to disregard movements from the existing restrictions in certain circumstances. 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.
Recently closed consultations
Scottish Government – Consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders
This consultation had been designed to gather further information from interested parties to assess where legislative change may be appropriate. This included procedures for experimental TROs which were generally considered outdated and unhelpful. Other areas that it was thought would benefit from further exploration was the use of redetermination orders and TROs covering loading bays. Released 04/06/2021, closed 30/07/2021.
DfT – Operator licensing and posting of workers
This call for evidence looked at amendments to operator licensing as a result of the EU Mobility Package through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and posting of workers. It included measures to reduce the standard international operator licensing down to 2.5t. Released 29/06/2021, closed 24/07/2021.
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, closed 23/07/2021.
CCAV – UK connected and automated mobility: call for evidence
The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles sought evidence to inform strategic policy on connected and automated mobility (CAM) in the UK. Released 08/06/2021, closed 16/07/2021.
HMRC – Call for evidence: the tax administration framework: supporting a 21st century tax system
HMRC was 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, closed 13/07/2021.
DfT – Amending the UK trailer registration scheme: altering inspector location, removing further inspection fee and addition of trailer type information
Amending regulations regarding licence font, inspector location, trailer inspection fee, document renewal, trailer type inclusion and towed vehicles status. Released 04/06/2021, closed 02/07/2021.
Announcements, July 2021
DfT – 30/07/2021 – Sharing our roads safely
Research exploring behaviours and attitudes towards sharing the road with different road users, including views on some proposed changes to The Highway Code.
DfT – 30/07/2021 – Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders
Feedback, analysis and outcome of the review of The Highway Code consultation has been released. In conjunction with the consultation, government commissioned research on sharing our roads, (see above).
DfT – 29/07/2021 – Road freight statistics: 2020
Road freight activity for the United Kingdom and internationally in 2020.
OTC – 21/07/2021 – Traffic Commissioners: appeals against the removal of international road travel permits
Guidance to provide information as to the way in which Traffic Commissioners should interpret the law in relation to appeals against the removal of international road transport permits.
HE – 20/07/2021 – Net Zero by 2050
Following the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Strategy, Highways England has unveiled its vision of creating a net-zero roads system by 2050.
HMRC – 20/07/2021 – Introduction of Plastic Packaging Tax from April 2022
This measure introduces a new tax that will apply to plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.
DfT – HGV driver shortage letter to industry
Government has written to the transport sector announcing a package of measures to help address the shortage of drivers.
HMRC – 19/07/2021 – Using CHIEF for declaring goods into or out of Northern Ireland
Change made: Information has been added about changes from 31 August 2021, where from this date you must use the Customs Declarations Service instead of CHIEF to declare goods brought into Northern Ireland by air freight from outside the UK and EU.
DVSA – 19/07/2021 – Nick Bitel appointed as Non-Executive Chair of DVSA
Nick Bitel becomes Non-Executive Chair of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
DVSA – 15/07/2021 – DVSA annual reports published
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) annual report and accounts of activity and services for 2020 to 2021.
DfT – 14/07/2021 – Decarbonising UK transport: technology roadmaps
First Published – Review of the technology, trialling and deployment needed for a 2050 net zero carbon transport system and used to create the transport decarbonisation plan.
DfT – 14/07/2021 – Outcome and response to ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans.
The government response, transitioning to zero emission cars and vans: 2035 delivery plan, has been published.
HMRC – 07/07/2021 – Helping businesses to prepare for full Customs Control in January 2022
First Published – HM Revenue and Customs is encouraging UK businesses to prepare for customs changes which will be introduced over the coming six months.
DfT – 07/07/2021 – Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules: all road haulage sectors in Great Britain.
Announcement by government regrading temporary relaxation of the retained EU drivers’ hours for drivers undertaking carriage of goods by road in response to the driver shortage. To run between 12 July – 8 August.
DVSA – 06/07/2021 – Safe driving for life website launched
The new Safe Driving for Life website has been developed with feedback from ADIs and National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) and includes eLearning (subscription) potential driving instructor’s theory test revision, theory test revision, ability for pupils to share their theory test progress with their instructor.
CO – 06/07/2021 – Appointment of Director General for the EU in the Cabinet Office
Julian Braithwaite has been appointed Director General for the EU in the Cabinet Office.
DVSA – 06/07/2021 – Driver CPC qualification and training data
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) statistics, including initial qualifications and periodic training completed.
Home Office – 06/07/2021 The Nationality and Borders Bill: factsheet
First Published – Factsheet giving details of the measures contained in the Nationality and Borders Bill.
DVSA – 06/07/2021 – New theory test booking service: change to go live date
The new Safe Driving for Life website has been developed with feedback from ADIs and National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) and includes eLearning (subscription) potential driving instructor’s theory test revision, theory test revision, ability for pupils to share their theory test progress with their instructor.
