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PRESS RELEASE : Conflict, humanitarian crises and instability have left individuals at risk of exploitation – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks the OSCE’s Special Representative on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings for their work on technology and supply chains, and in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Thank you, Special Representative, for this report, and congratulations on your appointment. The UK and I personally look forward to working closely with you and your team.

We welcome your office’s leadership in coordinating anti-trafficking efforts over the last year. Conflict, humanitarian crises and instability have left individuals at risk of exploitation. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has continued to cause mass migration, increasing the vulnerability of many women and children to trafficking and exploitation. It is important to tackle all aspects of security threats from the flow of people, which is why the UK was pleased to be able to financially support your office’s earlier work to respond to the increasing risk of trafficking in migration flows.

It is important we continue to monitor the risk of trafficking as a result of the conflict, and adjust our response accordingly. We were pleased to welcome your office to the UK recently to deliver a workshop on enhancing anti-trafficking prevention amid mass migration flows in the UK. This workshop, as with others delivered across the region, was an important opportunity to consider efforts so far to protect Ukrainian refugees and identify what more we need to do.

We are grateful for the previous Special Representative’s visit to the UK last year to carry out an in-depth review of the UK’s response to modern slavery, and the valuable recommendations that came from it. Since then, the UK Government has continued to strengthen our cooperation with key partners, including through a Joint Communique with Albania and a Joint Action Plan with Romania.

The UK recognises that the internet is a key enabler of human trafficking, particularly the sexual exploitation of women and girls. We will continue to work with international partners to tackle online exploitation and to safeguard victims. The UK’s Online Safety Legislation will require online companies to take proactive steps to prevent, identify, and remove content linked to criminal activity, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

We were pleased to be able to support the project that delivered the recent study “Mapping the online landscape of risks of trafficking in human beings on sexual services websites across the OSCE region”. This demonstrates the central role online platforms play in human trafficking and addresses important information gaps.

Elsewhere, eliminating forced labour in global supply chains remains a key international priority for the UK. We support the work of your office in building partnerships between the public sector and financial institutions. Recognising the potential of these partnerships, the UK engaged closely with experts to commission research to understand the interface between modern slavery and global flows of capital. This published research offers a practical roadmap that Capital Market Actors, including investment banks and development finance institutions, can adopt to address modern slavery within their value chains using their leverage and influence. I invite colleagues to read it.

The Alliance Conference this year built upon last year’s focus on migration risks and the needs of victims, and highlighted the need for increased national leadership and political will to ensure an effective international response to trafficking. That is why the UK is pleased to support the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, led by Theresa May. The Commission will inject greater political momentum to drive this issue back up the global agenda. It will do so by increasing coordination and cooperation across international organisations, and we welcome your office’s shared commitment to do this.

Special Representative, thank you for your report. We look forward to working with you in your new role and continuing to support your office in its impressive work to combat trafficking.

10/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian identity and culture continues – UK Statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Russia is attacking Ukrainian civilians, monuments, religious sites, museums, and art galleries.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

A tribute is taking place at the British Library in London this evening honouring the life and work of the award-winning Ukrainian writer, Victoria Amelina. Victoria, who was only 37 years of age, was killed in July following a Russian missile strike on a restaurant in Kramatorsk. Alongside Victoria, 12 other civilians died, including four children. Before the war Victoria wrote novels and children’s books. Following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, she began to investigate alleged war crimes, documenting testimonies, and working with children near the frontline. Not long before her death, Victoria uncovered the buried war diary of another Ukrainian writer, Volodymyr Vakulenko, who was shot by Russian forces last year. Victoria died from injuries sustained in a Russian attack on a civilian location. The victims of this attack were Ukrainian civilians and artists, determined to remain part of a free, independent, and sovereign Ukraine. All killed by Russia.

According to UNESCO 124 religious sites, 142 buildings of historical or artistic interest, 28 museums, 19 monuments, 13 libraries and one archive have been destroyed since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Last year, Russian air strikes struck Mariupol Theatre, killing hundreds of sheltering civilians. Russian air strikes also hit Babyn Yar memorial park, a site commemorating thousands of Jews murdered by the Nazis in 1941. And just this week, four months after Russian strikes severely damaged Odesa’s historic Transfiguration Cathedral, the 124-year-old Odesa National Fine Arts Museum was also hit.

But of course, Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian identity and culture does not stop with Russian attacks on monuments, religious sites and museums and art galleries. We have heard in this very room the disturbing findings of the Moscow Mechanism Report on the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to temporarily Russian-controlled territory and the Russian Federation. The report details so-called ‘recreations camps’ seeking to indoctrinate children about Russia’s version of Ukrainian history, the easing of requirements for unaccompanied Ukrainian children to change citizenship, and the placement of children in completely pro-Russian environments, prevented from speaking Ukrainian. These children have no link back to their Ukrainian culture, and in many cases, no current prospect of being returned to Ukraine. The intention here is clear, Russia’s aim is to deny these children their Ukrainian identity.

Russia’s actions are felt most acutely in the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. Russia continues to interfere with Ukraine’s sovereign integrity by holding sham ‘elections’, which go well beyond what is permissible under international law and extends to restrictions on the use of the Ukrainian language and the forced imposition of Russian laws.

The UK and international partners will support Ukraine until all Russian forces withdraw from the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine and return all Ukrainian children to their legal guardians. The UK will also continue to support the reconstruction of Ukraine, supporting a Ukraine-led effort to emerge from the war resilient to Russian threats. Ukraine, Ukrainians and Ukrainian language and culture will once again have all the conditions they need to flourish. Thank you, Mr Chair.

10/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Inquiry launched into the death of Jalal Uddin [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 November 2023.

Home Secretary establishes inquiry into the death of Jalal Uddin.

The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has today (9 November) announced the establishment of an inquiry into the death of Jalal Uddin.

Jalal Uddin, a retired Imam, was murdered in Rochdale on 18 February 2016.

Following criminal proceedings, an inquest into his death was resumed in November 2020.

In November 2022 the Coroner, His Honour Judge Teague KC, Chief Coroner of England and Wales, requested the inquest be converted to a statutory inquiry in order to permit all relevant evidence to be heard.

Judge Teague will fulfil the role of chair. The conduct and delivery of the Inquiry are a matter for the chair.

09/11/2023
NEWS STORY : Downing Street Confirms Suella Braverman Failed to Clear Times Article

NEWS STORY

A Downing Street spokesperson has confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office had not cleared a controversial article which Suella Braverman wrote for The Times newspaper. The revelation may mean that Suella Braverman is in breach of the Ministerial Code which requires all major press releases to be agreed with the No. 10 press office. Braverman had resigned on 19 October 2022 during an earlier period as Home Secretary for a previous serious breach of the Ministerial Code, with Downing Street saying that there would be a further statement later today on the matter.

09/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Germany [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Germany’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

May I start by welcoming Commissioner Amtsberg and your delegation. We appreciate Germany’s efforts since its last Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the active role it has played as a member of this Council. We welcome the ratification of the Protocol to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, and the ratification of the ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention.

We also commend Germany for the repeal of legislation that banned the advertisement of abortion services, allowing for information about the procedure to become more accessible.

We recommend Germany:

1.    Set voluntary targets to help increase the proportion of women in management positions in the German economy.

2.    Ensure the effective implementation of the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.
3.   Develop legislation to ensure the ratification of the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is implemented effectively.

Thank you.

09/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ground rent reforms to save thousands for leaseholders [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 9 November 2023.

Consultation launched today including a number of options to cap ground rents for existing leaseholders.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove has launched a consultation that will set out options including capping ground rents at a so called “peppercorn” rate for existing leaseholders, freezing ground rents at current levels and capping the ground rents at a percentage of the property value.

Some leaseholders can be faced with ground rent clauses in their leases which result in spiralling payments with no benefit in return, and can cause issues for those who want to sell their properties.

The changes deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to create a fairer system for the millions of leaseholders and form a key part of the Government’s Long Term Plan for Housing.

Confirmed as part of the Leasehold and Freehold Bill in this week’s Kings Speech, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities will consult on five proposals to decide the best way forward to benefit leaseholders. These are:

Setting ground rents at a peppercorn;

Putting in place a maximum financial value which ground rents could never exceed;

Capping ground rents at a percentage of the property value;

Limiting ground rent in existing leases to the original amount when the lease was granted; and

Freezing ground rent at current levels.

This work builds on changes the government has already introduced to help tackle high ground rents for future homeowners.

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 means that if any ground rent is demanded as part of a new residential long lease, it cannot be charged at more than the cost of one peppercorn per year – effectively setting the rate to zero.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:

“People work hard to achieve the dream of homeownership. They plan, toil, sacrifice, save and should rightly be proud to get on the housing ladder.

“However, far too many are burdened with onerous ground rents – these punitive charges can leave some paying thousands of pounds a year for nothing in return.

“Ground rent can feel like an annual reminder that you do not own the land your home stands on, that your lease on it is finite, and that there is a payment for the privilege of staying there.

“Today we are taking further steps to right that wrong – consulting you, the public, about how best to change this system so leaseholders are not exploited any longer and can take back control of their own destiny.”

The proposals announced today form part of the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Housing to liberate leaseholders from the unfair and outdated leasehold system.

The Leasehold and Freehold Bill – which will be introduced to Parliament shortly, will:

make it cheaper and easier for people to extend their lease or buy their freehold;

increase lease extension terms to give people more security and peace of mind;

give greater transparency over service charges and insurance commissions; and

make it easier for people to manage their building themselves.

Today’s public consultation will be open for six weeks and the government will carefully consider all responses to inform the final decision, as we aim to introduce reforms through the Leasehold and Freehold Bill.
09/11/2023
NEWS STORY : Home Secretary Suella Braverman Launches Attack on Police Over Marches

STORY

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, has launched an attack on the policing of rallies which has led to calls for his resignation from the Labour Party. Writing in the Times newspaper, Braverman said:

“During Covid, why was it that lockdown objectors were given no quarter by public order police yet Black Lives Matters demonstrators were enabled, allowed to break rules and even greeted with officers taking the knee? Rightwing and nationalist protesters who engage in aggression are rightly met with a stern response yet pro-Palestinian mobs displaying almost identical behaviour are largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law? I have spoken to serving and former police officers who have noted this double standard.

Football fans are even more vocal about the tough way they are policed as compared to politically connected minority groups who are favoured by the left. It may be that senior officers are more concerned with how much flak they are likely to get than whether this perceived unfairness alienates the majority. The government has a duty to take a broader view.”

Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, posted on Twitter:

“Suella Braverman is out of control. Her article tonight is a highly irresponsible, dangerous attempt to undermine respect for police at a sensitive time, to rip up operational independence & to inflame community tensions. No other Home Secretary of any party would ever do this. She’s deliberately seeking to stir up political division around Remembrance Day, a moment when the whole country can come together to pay our respects for sacrifices of the past. And at same time she’s deliberately undermining police ability to deal with problems she whips up”

David Lammy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, posted on Twitter:

“Suella Braverman seeking to exploit the sensitivities of this moment, and an ignorance of Northern Ireland’s history, to inflame community tensions for her own leadership campaign is an appalling new low. Rishi Sunak must sack her. But he’s too weak.”

The Home Secretary appeared without support in the House of Commons following Labour’s urgent question, with just two MPs backing her, Theresa Villiers and Michael Ellis.

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Times Newspaper

09/11/2023
Theresa Villiers – 2023 Speech on the Loyal Address

The speech made by Theresa Villiers, the Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, in the House of Commons on 7 November 2023.

I would like to begin by highlighting my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, which includes some shareholdings and a long-leasehold flat let to tenants.

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Siobhan Baillie) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Sir Robert Goodwill) on the wonderful start that they provided for the debate. They both performed brilliantly, but I want to single out my right hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby. We first met many years ago in 1999, when we were candidates in the European elections. He is a truly great parliamentarian, and he has always been a very good, kind and wise friend to me.

There is much to welcome in an ambitious and important set of legislative proposals in the first King’s Speech for 70 years. For example, the Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill will modernise data regulation so that firms can grow while protecting privacy and ensuring that people can exert control over information held about them. Brexit makes that kind of regulatory reform possible. I advocated it as part of the work done by the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform. Like my right hon. Friend the Member for North East Somerset (Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg), I think that this is just the beginning and that we need to go further, as it is crucial to our becoming more competitive and raising living standards.

The carry-over of the anti-boycott Bill is welcome. Singling out Israel for boycotts by councils is divisive and unjustified. The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement has driven increases in antisemitism, so I welcome the continuation of that Bill.

I am really pleased to see progress on leasehold reform, which is important to a number of my constituents who have suffered distress, anxiety and financial hardship as a result of the current system. I welcome the fact that the proposals announced today will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease. This is a complex area, and we do need to take care to avoid unintended consequences that could jeopardise investment or unfairly penalise the funds on which so many people’s retirement income depends and which they may well have invested in freehold interests. However, I feel that, with careful scrutiny in Parliament, we can deliver reform that works for leaseholders and tackles the abuses that have occurred.

The ban on selling new houses on a leasehold basis is absolutely right, and I also welcome the additional protections and transparency measures for leaseholders, but constituents tell me that the rights they already have to challenge unreasonable charges are cumbersome and expensive to operate and it can feel like a very unequal struggle with the freeholder. I hope Ministers will bear in mind that the measures they are announcing today will work only if leaseholders can actually use the new rights they are being granted. With that in mind, scrapping the presumption that leaseholders pay freeholder legal costs when they challenge poor practice is a much needed change, and I welcome that aspect of today’s announcements.

Another landmark measure in this King’s Speech is the Renters (Reform) Bill, which is continuing its progress. It is absolutely right that we legislate to help renters and encourage more stable and longer-term tenancies. We also need to remember that landlords play a crucial role as housing providers. We should absolutely be tough on bad landlords, but we do not want to end up unfairly penalising the whole sector when a majority of landlords look after their tenants and their properties, and act responsibly.

Sadly, a number of landlords are already leaving the sector and selling their properties. We must ensure that we do not inadvertently intensify that and jeopardise the good rental stock available. Key to that is ensuring that the removal of section 21 is accompanied by a major improvement in the way the courts system operates. My constituent Paul Shamplina, the founder of the solicitors firm Landlord Action, believes that delays are worse than he has experienced in his 33 years in the sector. He has told me of three bailiff applications with Willesden court that have taken six months to be issued. In Swindon, it took three months to send a notice of issue for a basic N5B claim, and Central London county court took seven months to appoint a bailiff and grant transfer to the High Court for enforcement. Other constituents have told me about bailiff delays in removing tenants who have not paid rent for many months.

The Minister for the courts—the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green (Mike Freer)—assures me that the courts are working flat out, that 1,000 new judges have been recruited and that digitisation is under way. That is welcome, but we need to make progress to ensure that our courts are working as efficiently as possible.

Action against crime is another crucial element of the programme in the Gracious Speech. Concern about crime is one of the issues raised most often with me on the doorstep in Chipping Barnet. In particular, I find it shocking that in modern Britain the Jewish community have such great fears for their security. The antisemitism and hate crime on display at recent mass protests have been both frightening and unacceptable. I have appealed directly to Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Met, to apply the full force of the law against any law breaking at these protests. I was one of the signatories to a letter from Conservative MPs and Assembly Members asking last week that the protest planned for Armistice Day on Saturday does not go ahead. It would seem to be both insensitive and disrespectful to have such a protest on 11 November.

Turning to policing more widely, the Conservatives have delivered on our pledge of 20,000 additional police officers. That means the Met has more uniformed officers than at any time in its history. It could actually have had 1,000 more, and it is a regret that it fell short of its recruitment target. I am afraid that that is just one of a significant number of failures on policing by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is the police and crime commissioner for London. In his seven years in office, we have seen the Met in crisis and poor clear-up rates for offences such as burglary, car crime and shoplifting. These are not victimless crimes, and they need to be taken seriously. Of course, we also need a tough approach on antisocial behaviour.

One thing that I am disappointed was not in the King’s Speech is a Bill to ban the import of trophies hunted from endangered animals. Such legislation has strong support, but the private Member’s Bill—the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill—has been blocked in the House of Lords. The ban is a manifesto commitment. We must do this, and I call on Ministers to bring forward such a Bill.

Lastly, I want to welcome the Bill to ban the live export of animals for slaughter and fattening. I have campaigned for two decades for that ban. This trade leads to serious and unnecessary animal suffering both on the long journeys and in destination countries that have lower standards of animal welfare than we do. These exports would have been banned years ago if that had not been forbidden by single market rules. Although no exports have taken place in recent months, there is as yet no law to stop them starting again. I regret the demise of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, though I appreciate that there were issues and problems with amendments, but now that we have a dedicated Bill to end this trade once and for all, let us get on with it. This Conservative Government have led the way on many animal welfare matters. Banning live exports would be a historic step towards a more compassionate and kinder treatment of animals. It is a benefit from Brexit, and I urge the House to support the Bill when it comes forward.

09/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Independent inquiry launched into 2021 Channel crossing tragedy [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 November 2023.

Announcing an inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.
- Transport Secretary Mark Harper announces inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel
- inquiry will allow a full and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place
- announcement follows today’s publication of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the tragedy
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has announced an inquiry is to be established to look into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

The independent, non-statutory inquiry will be designed to allow a full and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place in the absence of a normal coroner’s inquest.

The announcement of the inquiry follows today’s publication of a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) outlining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Today our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in the tragic events of 24 November 2021.

I am grateful to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their report examining this tragic incident, and the government will carefully consider its findings and recommendations. As the report recognises, the operational picture in the Channel has changed significantly since 24 November 2021, and I know that HM Coastguard continuously seeks to learn lessons and improve.

Every day, hundreds of courageous responders from HM Coastguard and other UK agencies, including volunteers, stand ready to respond around the clock to every search and rescue operation involving small boats in the Channel. This incident reinforces the scale of the task they face.

The inquiry I have announced today will allow a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place, further to the MAIB’s report, to give the families of the victims the clarity they deserve. I know that the Coastguard will engage fully and openly with it.

On the day of the tragedy, 1,227 people attempted to cross the Channel. HM Coastguard search and rescue operations have adapted to the changes in demand presented by small boats in the Channel.

The fundamental role of HM Coastguard is to save lives at sea by responding to any person in distress, and the service works unceasingly to save anyone that needs help.

The inquiry being established will look into who the deceased were, and when, where and in what circumstances they came by their deaths.

It will also consider what further lessons can be learned from the events of 24 November 2021 and, if appropriate, make recommendations to reduce the risk of a similar event occurring.

A chair and full terms of reference for the Inquiry will be announced by the Department for Transport in due course.
09/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New laws to safely roll out self-driving vehicles across British roads [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 November 2023.

Self-driving vehicles will help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive.
- new Automated Vehicles Bill puts UK at the forefront of regulation of self-driving technology, in boost to safety, investment and jobs
- an estimated 38,000 new jobs to be created in the UK from £42 billion industry
- self-driving vehicles will make transport more convenient and more accessible, improving the lives of millions of people
New laws introduced into Parliament yesterday (8 November 2023) will put safety at the heart of the roll-out of self-driving vehicle technology and position the UK as world-leaders of this exciting £42 billion industry.

As announced in the King’s Speech on Tuesday 7 November, the government’s new Automated Vehicles (AV) Bill will deliver one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks of its kind anywhere in the world for self-driving vehicles, with safety at its core.

The new safety framework will ensure clear liability for the user, set the safety threshold for legal self-driving and establish an in-use regulatory scheme to monitor the ongoing safety of these vehicles.

Self-driving vehicles could help reduce deaths and injuries from drink driving, speeding and driver tiredness, with 88% of road collisions having human error as a contributory factor. But before these vehicles are allowed on our roads, they will now have to meet or exceed rigorous new safety requirements, set out in law.

The technology will also help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive.

They can be used to better connect rural communities, improving access to essential services and reducing isolation. They can make last-mile delivery and long-haul freight services more efficient, reduce congestion and they can provide on-demand transport services.

This Bill will help cement the UK’s position as a global leader in this high tech and high growth industry, which could create up to 38,000 jobs.

It comes amid wider government funding and support for trials of self-driving technologies in the UK, like the £66 million Commercialising Connected and Automated Mobility fund which is supporting 20 projects in nearly 50 organisations to develop prototype passenger and logistics self-driving services.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Our new Bill ensures safety is at the heart of our plans to see self-driving vehicles on our roads, making the UK a great place to develop this technology.

We have the opportunity to put the UK at the forefront of a fast-growing, multi-billion-pound industry by providing the clarity and certainty for business to develop and invest in this exciting technology.

Transport Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

Today marks a landmark occasion as we usher in the future of transport, aiming at safer, greener and more efficient travel for all.

The AV Bill’s comprehensive legal framework has safety and the protection of the user at its core.

This will be done through:
- creating a rigorous new safety framework: setting the safety threshold for self-driving vehicles in law, while giving government the tools it needs to enforce standards and hold companies to account
- ensuring clear legal liability at all times: making companies responsible for how their self-driving vehicles behave on the road and protecting users from being unfairly held accountable
- protecting consumers and the public: ensuring only vehicles that meet rigorous self-driving standards can be marketed as such
All self-driving vehicles will be required to undergo robust safety testing before they are permitted to drive on UK roads, and the AV Bill will ensure clear legal liability when a vehicle is driving itself by creating new legal entities responsible for self-driving.

Every authorised self-driving vehicle will have a corresponding Authorised Self-Driving Entity– often the manufacturer – which will be responsible for the behaviour of the vehicle when self-driving. Companies will have ongoing obligations to keep their vehicles safe and ensure that they continue to drive in accordance with British laws.

The Bill will prohibit misleading market practices, including around using ambiguous terminology in advertising material around whether their vehicles classify as self driving. Regulations under the Bill will set out specific terminology and symbols which will be reserved for marketing authorised self-driving vehicles. Unauthorised and improper use of this terminology will be against the law and a criminal offence.

The laws implement the recommendations of the review of self-driving vehicle regulation carried out by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. This landmark review brings together over 4 years of legal work, 3 rounds of public consultation, and hundreds of responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals.

Alex Kendall, Co-founder and CEO of Wayve, said:

Today’s announcement that the government will bring forward legislation for self-driving signals to the global self-driving industry that the UK government is committed to fostering innovation for the future of transport. By setting out a clear path to commercialisation, new primary legislation for self-driving vehicles gives us the confidence to continue investing in research and development and growing our talent base here in the UK.

We look forward to continuing to work with the government to cement the UK’s role as a global centre of excellence for self-driving technology that will make our roads safer and unlock new growth.
09/11/2023