Legislation update – February 2024

Consultations which opened in February 2024 
 

DfT - Renewable transport fuel obligation: addressing multiple incentives 

Seeks views on how DfT will address the issue of multiple incentives in the case of the renewable transport fuel obligation and SAF mandate. Released 29/02/2024 - closes 18/03/2024. 

DESNZ - Future policy framework for biomethane production: call for evidence 

The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero is seeking evidence to help it develop a future policy framework for biomethane production to maximise the potential of the biomethane market. Released 29/02/2024 - closes 25/04/2024. 

DfT - Smarter regulation: proposed changes to legislation for electrically assisted pedal cycles 

Seeks views on proposed changes to the regulations on electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs or e-cycles). Released 29/02/2024 - closes 25/04/2024. 

DfT - Night flight restrictions: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports from October 2025 

Seeking views on proposals for the next night flight regime. Released 22/02/2024 - closes 22/05/2024. 

DLUHC - Strengthening planning policy for brownfield development 

Consultation on changes to national planning policy to support brownfield development and reviewing the threshold for referral of applications to the Mayor of London. Released 13/02/2024 - closes 26/03/2024. 

DLUHC - Changes to various permitted development rights: consultation 

This consultation seeks views on changes to several existing permitted development rights that allow for householder development, building upwards to create new homes, the demolition of certain buildings and rebuild as homes, electric vehicle charge points and air source heat pumps. Released 13/02/2024 - closes 09/04/2024. 

DEFRA - Not for EU’ labelling for retail products across Great Britain 

DEFRA want your views on the government’s plan to introduce the requirement for ‘not for EU’ labels on retail products across Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Released 02/02/2024 - closes 15/03/2024. 

Consultations which closed in February 2024 

Greater London Authority – London Plan Guidance 

The Mayor of London is consulting on new London Plan Guidance (LPG), which takes a further step towards ensuring that development plans and proposals assessed through the planning system provide sufficient industrial space that is fit-for-purpose. Released 06/12/2023 - closed 28/02/2024. 

Multi Department - Rapid charging fund: scheme design 

The rapid charging fund (RCF) will enable a comprehensive ultra-rapid charging network by funding prohibitively expensive grid connections. Views from this consultation will help design the fund. Released 06/12/2023 - closed 14/02/2024. 

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 - closed 14/02/2024. 

DfI - Consultation on Domestic and Non-Domestic rating measures to support budget sustainability by raising additional revenue 

On 20 September the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris, wrote to Permanent Secretaries of Northern Ireland departments directing them to launch public consultations on measures to support budget sustainability by raising additional revenue. Released 07/11/2023 - closed 13/02/2024. 

DfT - Mode shift grants review 

Sought views on the future of the Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant schemes and the potential for successor schemes. Released 04/12/2023 - closed 02/02/2024. 

Announcements, February 2024 

29/02/2024 - DVSA - Changes to Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) application process 

DVSA have updated the application form PSV 417, on the GOV.UK website. From 1 April 2024, all applications will need to be submitted using the new updated form. 

29/02/2024 - DfT - Work to deliver Midlands Rail Hub set to begin with £123 million 

Millions of people will benefit from more frequent rail services from central Birmingham and upgraded stations across the Midlands. 

29/02/2024 - DfT - Electric vehicle charging device grant scheme statistics: January 2024 

Electric vehicle charging statistics on the number of electric vehicle charging devices funded through grant schemes in the UK. 

27/02/2024 - DESNZ - Boost for UK hydrogen as government backs world-leading industry 

Low carbon hydrogen to get a further boost with over £21 million of government support for seven projects to make green fuel. 

26/02/2024 - DfT - Local Transport Fund: transforming the North and Midlands 

Local Transport Fund will provide £4.7 billion for the North and Midlands. 

26/02/2024 - DfT - Local Transport Fund allocations 

Allocations for the Local Transport Fund (LTF) from 2025 until 2032. 

26/02/2024 - DfT - Local leaders to receive £4.7 billion to transform transport across the North and Midlands 

Unprecedented transport budget targeted at smaller cities, towns and rural areas will fund projects that matter most to local communities. 

22/02/2024 - DVLA - Adding higher categories to driving licences 

From 1 March, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will no longer accept email applications for additional provisional vocational entitlements. 

22/02/2024 - Multi Department - British Transport Police: police effectiveness inspection, February 2024 

HMICFRS report about the effectiveness of the British Transport Police. 

22/02/2024 - DfT - Government launches consultation into the next UK night flight regime 

Proposed regime would continue to limit flights that take off and land at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted between 11:30pm and 6am. 

21/02/2024 - DfT - People Just Do Nothing and Top Boy actors urge young drivers to THINK! 

New digital audio ads encourage young drivers to slow down on rural roads as part of the THINK! road safety campaign. 

20/02/2024 - DfT - Ministers set out blueprint for future of the railways through draft Rail Reform Bill 

Draft bill sets out blueprint for bringing track and train together under a new Great British Railways, leveraging private sector innovation to benefit customers. 

20/02/2024 - DfT - Government response to the consultation on rail reform legislation and draft Rail Reform Bill 

Draft bill sets out blueprint for bringing track and train together under a new Great British Railways, leveraging private sector innovation to benefit customers. 

20/02/2024 - DfT - Draft Rail Reform Bill 

The draft Rail Reform Bill contains the primary legislative measures, which form a key part of delivering rail reform in Great Britain. 

20/02/2024 - DEFRA - Moving food and animal feed from Northern Ireland to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) 

Find out which food and animal feed goods qualify for unfettered access and can move from Northern Ireland to Great Britain without sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls. 

19/02/2024 - DfT - Transport Secretary announces Sir Gareth Rhys Williams as new National Highways Chair 

The Chair will oversee the delivery of the government’s £24 billion investment into roads across the country. 

13/02/2024 - OTC - ‘Periods of Grace’ – Don’t leave it too late 

Assistance from the Senior Traffic Commissioner on Periods of Grace. 

08/02/2024 - Home Office - UK border requirements: national statement of expectations (NSE) 

This document sets out the standards and requirements for border infrastructure and facilities at ports. 

06/02/2024 - DVSA - Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph error message 

Some Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph devices are wrongly displaying and recording an error message.  

‘Hardware sabotage’ will be displayed on the screen and an event will be recorded in the tachograph. 

06/02/2024 - DESNZ - UK first major economy to halve emissions 

New official statistics confirm UK has cut emissions by 50% between 1990 and 2022. 

05/02/2024 - OZEV - Electric vehicles: costs, charging and infrastructure 

Owning and running an electric vehicle in the UK. 

05/02/2024 - Multi Department - Rollout of electric vehicle chargepoints to be accelerated 

New measures will mean EV owners benefit from easier and more convenient access to charge points. 

05/02/2024 - DfT - Secure by design transport system: DfT Science Advisory Council paper 

Provides a perspective on the opportunities for science to support and achieve a secure, resilient and safe transport system. 

05/02/2024 - TfN - Transport for the North annual conference 

Plans to increase government funding through the Network North plan and wider transport investments. 

02/02/2024 - DfT - Tyne to shine: Tyne Bridge gets makeover with £35 million government funding 

Bridge maintenance will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, helping to boost the economy across the region. 

01/02/2024 - DfT - Potential use of funding settlements for Doncaster Sheffield Airport 

From the Secretary of State for Transport to the Mayor of South Yorkshire concerning funding for Doncaster Sheffield Airport. 

01/02/2024 - Multi Department - Government launches review of DVSA to strengthen agency for the future 

This review will help understand how DVSA can continue to improve, evolve with vehicle technology and keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. 

01/02/2024 - Multi Department - DVSA review 2024 terms of reference 

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

01/02/2024 - DfT - E-cycle and e-scooter batteries: managing fire risk for public transport operators 

Information for public transport operators about assessing and managing fire risks involving the lithium batteries used in e-cycles and e-scooters. 

Published On: 07/03/2024 16:00:00