Legislation update April 2025

Consultations which opened in March 2025

31/03/2025       DfESNZ              Innovative hydrogen-to-power projects - GOV.UK

We’re seeking views on the potential for innovative hydrogen to power projects to accelerate deployment readiness and support technical demonstration.       

Consultation closes on the 12/05/2025                                                                                       

28/03/25            CMA     Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is inviting representations from third parties on commitments offered by American Airlines; subsidiaries of International Consolidated Airlines Group: British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus; and Finnair. This consultation opened at 10am on 28 March 2025 and will close at 5pm on 23 April 2025.                                                                                                         

25/03/25            DfT        Net zero ports: challenges and opportunities - GOV.UK

We will be producing policy for net zero carbon practices of vessels docked at ports.

We are looking to understand the:

• activities, challenges and developments at these ports
• issues faced, both now and in the future, by these ports for decarbonisation

We are asking for information and insight about:

• deployment of decarbonising infrastructure
• onsite energy generation
• ports refuelling capabilities
• the current and future electricity requirements at ports
• the growth opportunities for ports, and wider sectors, in decarbonising ports
• the current state of decarbonisation in ports
• the role ports can play in enabling their tenants and the shipping sector to decarbonise.

Closes on the 24/06/25                                                               

25/03/25            DfT        Maritime decarbonisation strategy and calls for evidence - GOV.UK

Following the publication of the maritime decarbonisation strategy, and the 2 calls for evidence, we will continue to work with the sector to deliver the domestic decarbonisation goals and to reduce wider environmental impacts. We will collect and analyse the responses from the calls for evidence to inform our next steps and will publish a consultation on future UK fuels regulation. Furthermore, we will continue to champion ambitious action at the IMO to drive the global maritime sector towards zero emissions and deliver the IMO GHG 2023 strategy. Closes on the 25/07/2025                                                          

20/03/25            DWP     Keep Britain Working Review: Discovery

The discovery phase of the Keep Britain Working independent review aims to understand the characteristics and drivers of rising levels of inactivity and ill health. This includes exploring where there is the greatest potential for employers and government to make a difference. This publication also sets out key areas of interest which will frame the engagement phase of the review.     Closes on the 30/05/2025.

18/03/25            OfEO     Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting - GOV.UK

This consultation is sort views on how to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for large employers (those with 250 or more employees). Responses to the consultation will help to shape proposals which will be included in the upcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, which was announced in the King’s Speech in July 2024. Closes on the 10/06/2025.

03/03/25            DfT        Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate

Added ‘SAF revenue certainty mechanism: approach to industry funding’ consultation.

This is an open consultation; however, logistics UK have responded on 28/3/25                        

“Logistics UK supports measures to increase the domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), given its ability to reduce emissions by up to 70%, with immediate savings.

Producing SAF in the UK will not only increase availability, addressing a key concern around security of supplies, but will also be key to reducing overall costs as production is scaled up. Domestic production of SAF can have wider national benefits too, such as stimulating economic growth by creating new jobs both directly at the SAF sites and also indirectly across the supply chain, from feedstock production to fuel distribution. This has the potential to benefit local economies, particularly in rural areas where biomass feedstocks are sourced, and in regions where new SAF production facilities are established.”                                                

Announcements, March 2025

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: appeals

Statutory Guidance updated on the approach a traffic commissioner will take when considering an application for a stay, citing the Upper Tribunal stay decision in 2024/1207 Pro Drainage Ltd and Others. Additionally, traffic commissioners are able to consider the same operator on multiple occasions without being biased, citing the Upper Tribunal decision in 2023/602 & 2023/623 Central Haulage Ltd & Others.                                                                     

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: the principles of decision making and the concept of proportionality

Statutory Guidance on disqualification updated, citing the Upper Tribunal decision of 2023/1108 John Stuart Strachan.                                                                      

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: case management

Statutory Guidance on adjournments updated, citing the Upper Tribunal decision of 2024/1087 Hard Concrete Ltd and Jatinder Singh Dhillon. Withdrawal of the Statutory Document on International Road Haulage Permits.                                                                 

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: impounding

Statutory Guidance to reflect proof of ownership will generally be demonstrated by a bill of sale which gives legal title or another document of equal force, citing the Upper Tribunal decision 2023/004 Nugent International Ltd and Michael Nugent.                                                                 

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: legal entities

Reference to Construction Industry Scheme added to Statutory Guidance. Addition of case law authorities on employment status, including Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs v Professional Game Match Officials Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 1370, 2206953/2021 Bandi and others v Bolt and 001484/2021 Johnson v GT Gettaxi (UK) Ltd.                                                                           

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: operating centres, stable establishments and addresses for service

Statutory Guidance additional case law on a traffic commissioner asking for evidence of stable and effective establishment, citing the Upper Tribunal decision 2023/1077 Direct Services Logistics Ltd. Addresses for Service updated to align with the digital by default approach                                                                      

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: transport managers - GOV.UK

Statutory guidance updated to show a traffic commissioner is obliged to revoke an operator’s licence if a period of grace expires without the mandatory requirement being met, citing the Upper Tribunal decision 2024/782 DMD Cardiff Ltd. Further detail added to Transport Manager General Responsibilities.                                                                        

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: finance

Statutory guidance has been clarified regarding subsidiary finance to ensure that funds are held by the entity that holds the operator’s licence. Additionally, where company accounts are relied on they must provide sufficient detail for an assessment of availability.                                                                   

31/03/2025       OTC      Traffic commissioners: introduction to statutory guidance and statutory directions

Addition to Statutory Guidance who is operating, citing the Upper Tribunal decision of 2023/1324 Abbey Coaches (Darwen) Ltd.                                                                     

28/03/2025       DfT        PM: North will no longer be held to ransom by broken transport system 

The Prime Minister has announced more funding to deliver the largest rail investment in the North in decades.

25/03/2025       DfT        Kevin Rooney announced as new Senior Traffic Commissioner

The secretary of State for Transport appoints Kevin Rooney as the new Senior Traffic Commissioner.

20/03/2025       DVSA    Replace an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certificate  

Updated to include the latest version of the application form.

18/03/2025       DfT        Volumetric concrete mixers review - GOV.UK      

Following a call for evidence and a report from National Highways on the load effects of higher weight volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) on bridges, the government’s decision is that VCMs should comply with standard legal weight limits once the current temporary arrangement ends in 2028. 

As a result, the government will continue with its current policy. VCMs can operate at increased weights via vehicle special orders until 2028 or the 12th anniversary of its first registration, whichever comes sooner.

13/03/2025       DVSA    MOT inspection manual: public service vehicles (PSVs)

Added the PSV inspection manual (from 1 April 2025).

13/03/2025       DVSA    MOT inspection manual: HGVs   

Added the HGV inspection manual (from 1 April 2025).

11/03/2025       DVSA    Vehicle operators who committed road safety offences in 2024

Road safety offences committed by operators in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from January to December 2024.

11/03/2025       DVSA    Vehicle operators who committed road safety offences in 2023

Road safety offences committed by operators in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from January to December 2023.

10/03/2025       DfT        Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 regulatory report 2024 - GOV.UK

Progress report on the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

07/03/2025       HSE       The UK Chemicals Helpline is changing – HSE Media Centre

The UK Chemicals Helpline service, available on 0330 159 1985, will continue for UK REACH enquiries.

However, the telephone services will be closed from 31 March 2025 for:

•             UK Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR)

•             Prior Informed Consent Regulations (PIC)

•             Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations (CLP)

07/03/2025       DfT        Transporting dangerous goods: ADR tunnel categories - GOV.UK

Silvertown Tunnel under the River Thames is due to open on 7 April 2025.

06/03/2025       HSE       Physical and Chemical Properties - HSE  

HSE is seeking stakeholder views prior to the adoption of a new GB Physical, Chemical and Technical Properties guidance document for PPPs.

06/03/2025       HSE       Physical and Chemical Properties - HSE  

HSE is seeking stakeholder views prior to the adoption of a new GB Physical, Chemical and Technical Properties guidance document for PPPs.

06/03/2025       Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 6 March 2025 - GOV.UK             

Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework: Joint Statement, 6 March 2025 - GOV.UK      The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.

04/03/2025       DWP     Making Work Pay: Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay - GOV.UK

Published government response to the consultation on Making Work Pay: Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay.

04/03/2025       DVLA    Vehicle enforcement policy - GOV.UK     

Updated information under subheading 6.1 DVLA and debt collection agencies.

Published On: 10/04/2025 14:36:21