Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 January 2024.

First MOT test to remain at 3 years from registration and annually thereafter while government works to establish a programme of longer-term reform for MOTs.

Motorists will still take the first MOT test 3 years after buying their new car as the government continues to listen to drivers.

Today (25 January 2024), the government has published its response to the consultation on updating MOT testing for cars, motorbikes and vans, which confirms that the first MOT will remain at 3 years from registration. Every subsequent MOT will also continue to be taken once every year, ensuring motorists can continue to drive with peace of mind.

Launched in January 2023, the consultation sought views to ensure roadworthiness checks continue to balance the cost to motorists, road safety, advances in vehicle technology and tackling vehicle emissions.

To ensure MOTs are fit for the future, the government will further investigate how to better monitor diesel vehicle emissions through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This will include whether testing should do more to ensure that diesel vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

Analysis from the AA suggests that an annual MOT can potentially save drivers between £200 and £400 as picking up developing faults each year means drivers aren’t hit with higher repair bills further down the road.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.

By offering clarity on MOT tests, alongside our recent street works consultation and unprecedented £8.3 billion to resurface roads, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.

With the constantly improving technology of modern-day cars and electric vehicles (EVs), the Department for Transport will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders and drivers to establish a programme of longer-term reform for MOTs.

To ensure they remain fit for the future, the government is exploring a more effective test for diesel particulate emissions, whether further improvements could be made to the MOT for electric vehicles and the transfer of some larger zero-emissions vans to more standard, car-style MOT testing.

Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy at DVSA, said:

Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe.

We hope, this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.

DfT will also monitor technological developments that could require an altered MOT, such as advanced driver assistance systems.

Jakob Pfaudler, AA CEO, said:

AA polling showed drivers overwhelmingly (83%) supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe. With 1 in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at 3 years and annually thereafter.

The measures follow last week’s proposals to tackle overrunning street works from utility companies and the biggest ever funding boost of £8.3 billion to resurface over 5,000 miles of local roads in England, as the government continues to be on the side of drivers and improve journeys for more people, in more places, more quickly.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

Government and the automotive industry have worked together to ensure the UK has some of the world’s safest roads. The decision to retain the existing MOT system is the right one, helping maintain this proud record and giving drivers confidence in car and van roadworthiness.

With vehicle technology continuing to evolve at pace in terms of both safety and environmental performance, we will maintain this collaboration with government and other stakeholders so that the MOT continues to be fit for purpose, helping Britain improve what is already a strong road safety record.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said:

An MOT gives drivers confidence their vehicle is conforming to minimum roadworthiness standards and many see it as an essential technical health check. Well-maintained vehicles make our roads safer and reduce the chances of collisions caused by worn-out parts and more serious defects.

We welcome the government listening to drivers and prioritising both road safety and emissions as part of this package of announcements.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 20 January 2024.

Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys between 30 January and 15 March 2024 across England and Wales.

Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January 2024 to claim up to 50% off selected advance and off-peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.

Over a million discounted tickets will be available to destinations across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.

Whether it’s a city break, family holiday or countryside escape, passengers are encouraged to make the most of this sale to get to popular destinations across the country.

Popular journeys passengers could claim savings* on tickets for include:

Route	Standard price	Sale price
Portsmouth to Penzance	£43	£21
Birmingham to Bristol	£30.60	£15.30
Manchester to Leeds	£8.60	£4.30
Leicester to Sheffield	£7.30	£3.60

The government is committed to helping families with the cost of living, and working with industry to offer up to half-price rail tickets will not only boost tourism and encourage sustainable travel but also help connect friends and families across the UK.

This follows a significant intervention to cap this year’s rail fare increase at 4.9%, considerably below the 9% July’s retail price index (RPI) figure on which they are historically based.

This comes as the government delivered its commitment to halve inflation by the end of last year – helping to keep travel costs lower in the long term.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

The return of the Great British Rail Sale is good news for passengers, following the success of the previous sale which saw passengers benefit from around £7 million in savings on their travel costs.

With discounts on more than a million tickets, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family and explore great destinations across the country – I hope passengers make the most of this sale and choose to travel by rail.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

Train travel is the greenest way to explore our towns and cities as well as connect with your family and friends because nothing beats being there in person for those special moments.

Following the success of the Great British Rail Sale in 2022, we are really excited that it’s coming back, and customers will be able to once again purchase over a million advance ticket fares starting on 23 January 2024 and enjoy what rail has to offer.

The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) estimate that the first Great British Rail Sale in 2022 saw passengers save around £7 million on rail tickets and encouraged around 70,000 adults who had not travelled by train since the COVID-19 pandemic to take a trip.**

The government and industry are, therefore, launching a second Great British Rail Sale to save passengers money and get more people using our railways.

The Great British Rail Sale is just one way the government is seeking to improve rail passengers’ experience, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) launching a pilot scheme for simpler fares earlier this week, removing the complex web of ticket types and replacing them with options that are simpler, more flexible and better suit passengers’ needs.

Suzanne Donnelly, Passenger Revenue Director at GBRTT, said:

I’m delighted the rail industry has, once again, come together to deliver another huge round of savings on tickets for passengers.

At GBRTT, we are focused on driving initiatives that will boost the number of rail journeys people make to reduce the cost of running the railway for taxpayers, whilst providing value for money for customers. The Great British Rail Sale is just one example of what can be achieved through a one railway, joined-up approach.

Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on 23 January 2024. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage, helping customers find the best deals. Tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024. Only a limited number of tickets are available, and no further sale tickets will go on offer once sold out.***

Operators are not offering sale tickets on days when their services might be impacted by the strikes announced by ASLEF on 15 and 18 January 2024.

* The savings quoted are against a typical advance purchase ticket, as these tickets vary in price the exact savings may be more or less compared to what a passenger usually purchases.

** Estimate is based on survey data from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and scaled using YouGov data.

*** Travel periods may differ across operators, with few or no tickets available on days impacted by industrial action. More tickets will be made available on days unaffected by industrial action.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 January 2024.

Green hydrogen refuelling station to be built near Middlesbrough, helping to increase economic growth in the area and decarbonise the transport network.

Groceries are going green in the Tees Valley thanks to £7 million government funding announced today (17 January 2024) for hydrogen projects that will grow the economy and support skilled jobs in the North East.

The funding has been awarded to fuel distributer Exolum to build a publicly accessible green hydrogen refuelling station near Middlesbrough, initially serving at least 25 new zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) making deliveries. This will mean thousands of goods being sustainably delivered in the area, from supermarket groceries to new clothes.

The government-funded Tees Valley hydrogen transport hub is the first of its kind in the country, showing how green hydrogen, which does not produce any harmful emissions when used in a fuel cell, can be utilised in transport. The move will not only improve air quality for residents in the Tees Valley but support hundreds of skilled UK jobs and upskilling opportunities for workers.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

It’s fantastic to see the Tees Valley continue to be a trailblazer in this vital technology to decarbonise heavier vehicles – leading the way for the wider rollout of green hydrogen.

These 3 winning projects will not only support jobs and economic growth in the Tees Valley but will also help decarbonise our transport network.

To further support the sector, Tees Valley Combined Authority will use £300,000 of government funding to run a competition for Tees Valley colleges and training institutions to purchase hydrogen training equipment to upskill the local workforce.

Today’s funding follows the announcement of the first 2 winning projects, led by ULEMCo and Element 2, which will develop hydrogen-powered airport ground-based support vehicles and create new hydrogen refuelling stations.

Together, the 3 winning projects will innovate hydrogen-powered transport in the Tees Valley, creating jobs and apprenticeships. The hydrogen transport hub is already creating significant levels of industry interest, with a number of developers having announced their intentions to build large-scale green hydrogen production in the area, with demand from transport a key factor.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said:

Our area is leading the way in developing the cleaner, healthier and safer transport of the future. This is another great example of how we are creating innovative solutions, such as greener deliveries to our supermarkets. As the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub, we are in a fantastic position to take advantage of projects such as this, which will deliver further jobs and investment needed to drive our local economy forward.

As more of these major projects are confirmed, it’s also essential that we develop skills in our workforce, so this funding is vital to ensure local people can take advantage of the well-paid jobs this new technology is bringing.

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, Lord Callanan, said:

Giving a whole new meaning to green groceries, I am thrilled that delivery drivers in Tees Valley are set to make their rounds using clean, green hydrogen.

We are building a world-leading hydrogen industry, recently committing £2 billion for 11 green hydrogen production projects – including the Tees Green hydrogen project developed by EDF – to provide cleaner fuel for UK businesses.

Today’s third winner being announced completes the second round of government competition funding for the Tees Valley hydrogen transport hub following the first round, which awarded over £2.6 million to deploy 21 hydrogen-powered vehicles. The second competition invited ideas on how to overcome some of the challenges of scaling up hydrogen technology, making the region’s supply chain greener with hydrogen-fuelled vans and HGVs.

Government investment in the Tees Valley hub will position the region at the forefront of the hydrogen transport sector, bringing skills, jobs, exports and growth. It will also provide evidence and experience to support future policy, strategy and investment decisions over the coming years.

Exolum Clean Energies Lead, Andres Suarez, said:

At Exolum, we want to be a relevant player in green hydrogen technology, which is positioning itself as an efficient energy vector to help decarbonise sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy-duty mobility.

This project in the UK comes in addition to others we have under development and others already fully implemented, such as the first hydrogen plant for mobility in Madrid, Spain. Thanks to joint collaboration with other pioneering companies, we will be able to offer this new technology to the market to drive the energy transition.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 16 January 2024.

The government launches a consultation on medical exemptions for fishers working on vessels 10 metres and under in length.

• Government gives industry a chance to have its say on concessions that would benefit fishers on vessels of 10 metres and under.
• Safety of fishers is paramount and today will make sure that remains the case while ensuring fishers can continue their important work
• Government continues to listen to the views from across the fishing industry

An industry-wide consultation starts today to see how small-scale fishers can fish as safely as possible.

In November 2023, regulations came into effect requiring fishers working on small UK flagged vessels to have a certificate of medical fitness. The government has worked to support those who can still fish but would otherwise be unduly forced ashore. Some grandfather rights have been extended for eyesight, BMI, diabetes and most recently seasonal fishers.

Unlike larger fishing operations, those who operate vessels of 10 metres and under are usually independent and require more support, which is why today the Department for Transport is seeing how to best deliver medical exemptions safely so hard-working, small-scale fishers aren’t unduly forced ashore.

The potential concession is being considered by the Secretary of State for Transport after listening to the concerns of those in the fishing industry as well as MPs representing coastal communities.

Industry is being urged to have its say on the proposals, which are being published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The blanket exemption from holding a valid medical certificate would only apply to those who have already been working on vessels of 10 metres and under for at least 4 weeks between 30 November 2022 and 30 November 2023.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

The safety of those who are working in our fishing industry is paramount and it’s vital that any medical requirements work for them. That’s why we have actively listened to views from the fishing industry and MPs representing coastal communities, already granting concessions for factors such as eyesight, diabetes and BMI.

This consultation shows that we are open to proper solutions that uphold the highest standards of safety.

See the MCA’s GOV.UK pages to read and take part in the Medical exemption – existing fishers on vessels of 10 metres or under consultation.

Notes to editors

• Reviews of medical standards are carried on out a regular basis.
• The Secretary of State for Transport is considering providing an exemption under regulation 14 of The Merchant Shipping (Work in Fishing Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2018 so that existing fishers working in fishing vessels of 10 metres and under (registered length as defined by the Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017) in length are exempt from regulations 4 and 5.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2024.

Mentors selected to nurture next generation of aviation professionals and 10 schemes to share £750,000 in the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

In a pioneering initiative to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, has today (15 January 2024) announced the appointment of 10 new aviation ambassadors.

With a lineup ranging from a TikTok influencer, who specialises in showing life behind the scenes at airports, to a seasoned RAF Air Cadet commander with over a decade’s experience and a private pilot licence, the new ambassadors have been selected to inspire and guide the next generation of aviators.

As the sector continues to grow following the COVID-19 pandemic, having a young and diverse workforce that can embrace and adapt to new challenges – whether that be new technologies, cleaner travel or emerging trends – will ensure the UK is at the cutting edge of the aviation industry.

Over the next 2 years, the ambassadors will serve as mentors and advocates, attending schools, mentoring events and workshops to showcase their experience and encourage young people to use their skills in aviation. As well as delivering their own bespoke outreach activities to underrepresented groups, the ambassadors will also offer advice on where pathways into aviation can be created or improved – making it easier for young people to join the sector.

Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

As the aviation industry evolves, these new aviation ambassadors will shine a light on this rewarding sector, attracting talented individuals who might otherwise miss their opportunity.

These ambassadors will help to attract even more innovation and creativity to the industry, showcasing the opportunities available in this exciting new era of new technology and decarbonisation.

One of the new ambassadors is Alice Goodwin, a design and development engineer at Virgin Atlantic with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and ambitions to become a chartered engineer. With a unique role in avionics and extensive outreach experience, she is a mentor to young people at 4 aviation charities supporting people of colour to take up aviation careers.

New aviation ambassador, Alice Goodwin, said:

Aviation engineering is a dynamic and interesting industry, full of passionate and inspiring individuals. I am really looking forward to being an ambassador and having the platform to showcase the amazing opportunities available in our industry to young people.

To further inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, 10 schemes at the forefront of inspiring and engaging young people have been awarded a share of £750,000 from the next round of the government’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

For those who have previously struggled to get a foothold in the industry, the aim of the fund is to dismantle barriers and target schemes that serve as entry points for many, supporting individuals from underprivileged backgrounds or underrepresented groups – creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the exciting world of aviation.

Winners of this round’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund include Flight Crowd, a not-for-profit organisation providing aviation bootcamps throughout the country to give hundreds of people opportunities to learn and connect with the industry and London City Airport, which offers multiple STEM workshops and events on business mentoring and skills.

Michael Spiers, Chief People Officer at London City Airport, said:

We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the DfT’s and CAA’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund to help inspire the next generation of aviators.

London City Airport delivers a range of skills and education initiatives – such as our annual STEM in Aviation Day event – to inspire hundreds of students across east London and this funding will help build on this important work in 2024.

Mariya Tarabanovska, founder of Flight Crowd, said:

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Propel into Future Flight programme to new horizons, thanks to the generous support from the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund for the second consecutive year.

The enthusiasm and engagement we’ve witnessed from communities across the UK during our boot camps have been truly inspiring. Empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge essential for shaping the future of aviation remains at the core of our mission. And with this continued funding, we are excited to reach even more locations and diverse backgrounds.

This financial support represents an important step in the government’s goal to support the industry’s efforts to build a skilled, diverse and passionate workforce for the future – helping boost the economy and keep the UK at the forefront of global aviation.

Organisations meeting the criteria for the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund were able to apply for a share of £750,000, with funding decisions agreed by a joint panel of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.

Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability at the UK CAA, said:

Young people are our future, and aviation is no exception. The work entrusted to these new aviation ambassadors in inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals is incredibly important, ensuring the sector continues to thrive and meet the challenges of the evolving technological landscape.

We’re also excited to see the work done by the successful applicants of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, which we support and know is vital in providing an entry point into the world of aviation and aerospace.

Both the aviation ambassadors and Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund are cornerstones of Generation Aviation – an ambitious government-industry programme dedicated to raising profiles of different aviation careers, removing barriers and attracting diverse and talented people so we can unleash the full potential of the sector.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2024.

New measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads across England.

A crackdown on disruptive roadworks could cut congestion for millions of drivers and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads, as the first key measures from the government’s Plan for Drivers are delivered today (15 January 2024).

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, has launched a street works consultation on a series of measures to prevent utility companies from letting roadworks overrun and clogging up traffic as a result.

The consultation seeks to extend the current £10,000 per day fine for overrunning street works into weekends and bank holidays as a deterrent for working on the busiest days for road travel. Currently, utility companies are only fined for disruption on working days. The measures could double fines from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 for companies that breach conditions of the job, such as working without a permit.

The plans would also direct at least 50% of money from lane rental schemes to be used to improve roads and repair potholes. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road.

As a result, the measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads while helping tackle congestion, cutting down journey times and helping drivers get from A to B more easily.

Launching on National Pothole Day, the consultation is part of a series of measures from the government’s Plan for Drivers, a 30-point plan to support people’s freedoms to use their cars, curb over-zealous enforcement measures and back drivers.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

After investing an extra £8.3 billion to resurface roads across England, the largest ever increase in funding for local road improvements, this government continues to back drivers with these new measures from our Plan for Drivers.

Our new proposals seek to free up our roads from overrunning street works, cut down traffic jams and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads up and down the country.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

Being stuck in traffic is infuriating for drivers. Too often traffic jams are caused by overrunning street works.

This government is backing drivers, with a robust approach to utility companies and others, who dig up our streets. We will seek to massively increase fines for companies that breach conditions and fine works that overrun into weekends and bank holidays while making the rental for such works help generate up to an extra £100 million to improve local roads.

While it’s essential that gas, water and other utility companies carry out vital maintenance work to provide the services we all rely on, the 2 million street works carried out in England in 2022 to 2023 have cost the economy around £4 billion by causing severe road congestion and disrupting journeys.

The consultation comes after this government introduced a performance-based street works regime to ensure utility companies resurface roads to the best possible standard, and new lane rental schemes where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 per day for street works.

The measures can also help boost active travel by preventing street works from disrupting walking, wheeling and cycling while also providing opportunities to improve pavements and pedestrian crossings and make repairs to pavements and cycle lanes.

Edmund King, AA president, said:

Overrunning roadworks and poorly reinstated roads from utility companies frustrate drivers and cause unnecessary congestion, and trench defects can damage vehicles and injure those on 2 wheels.

We are pleased that the government is looking to extend the fines for over-running street works, invest more of the surplus fines in roads and ensure that those who dig up the roads repair them to a high and timely standard.

In addition, the government plans to make all temporary, experimental or permanent restrictions on traffic digital. These so-called traffic regulation orders (TROs) include things like the location of parking spaces, road closures and speed limits.

Making these digital means they must now be added to satnav systems, ensuring drivers have the most up-to-date information, making journeys easier and paving the way for more reliable autonomous vehicles.

RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said:

Drivers shouldn’t have to put up with temporary roadworks for any longer than is necessary, so we’re pleased to see the government is looking to do more to guarantee that utility companies minimise disruption by carrying out roadworks as quickly and efficiently as possible. They should also leave roads in better condition than they found them, which unfortunately is hardly ever the case at the moment.

The measures follow the biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements, with £8.3 billion of redirected High Speed 2 (HS2) funding – enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across England – as the government continues to be on the side of drivers and improve journeys for more people, in more places, more quickly.

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said:

I welcome the launch of the government’s street works consultation to consider measures aimed at preventing utility roadworks overrunning. We have already piloted a pioneering lane rental scheme on some of our roads, which encourages utility companies to work in the most efficient way to minimise disruption for the traveling public in Kent.

I will continue to work with government, the Department for Transport and other stakeholders to find ways we can reduce congestion in order to keep Kent moving.

Clive Bairsto, Chief Executive of Street Works UK, said:

Utilities perform a vital role in connecting households, working to the highest standards, while complying with rigorous inspections to ensure works are high quality and lasting.

We look forward to engaging constructively with government throughout this consultation, representing our members and the wider industry, to ensure both utilities and local authorities can deliver infrastructure works while giving customers and road users the speed of delivery, lack of congestion and transparency they expect.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 January 2024.

Cranston Inquiry to look into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

Former judge and Solicitor General, Sir Ross Cranston, is to chair the independent inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

The Cranston Inquiry 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.

The inquiry was announced on 9 November 2023 by the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, following the publication of a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) outlining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

This inquiry will allow a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place.

I’m grateful that Sir Ross Cranston has agreed to chair the inquiry into this tragic event. I know that Sir Ross will conduct his work with thoroughness and professionalism.

I hope this inquiry will give the families of the victims the clarity they deserve.

Chair of the inquiry, Sir Ross Cranston, said:

I have been appointed to Chair the independent inquiry into the tragic incident in the Channel on 24 November 2021.

My inquiry will enable the survivors and family members of the deceased to be heard and to identify lessons that can be learned to avoid a similar tragedy in the future.

I aim to complete the inquiry and deliver my report to the Secretary of State for Transport as expeditiously as possible and will announce how the inquiry will proceed shortly.

See the terms of reference for the inquiry for more information.

Sir Ross Cranston is a professor of law at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a former Judge of the High Court of England and Wales, who sat in the Queen’s Bench Division and, in 2016, became the judge in charge of the Administrative Court. In his political career, Sir Ross was MP for Dudley North between 1997 and 2005 and Solicitor General for England and Wales from 1998 to 2001.

Sir Ross has served on missions for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission. He was, until 2022, Chair of Trustees of the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII), which provides free access to British, Irish and European Union legal material. In 2018, he chaired a committee of JUSTICE, which published a report: Immigration and asylum appeals – a fresh look. In 2019, he conducted an independent assurance review of Lloyds Bank’s handling of claims arising from fraud committed at the HSBOS Impaired Assets Office.

Rory Phillips KC, of 3 Verulam Buildings (3VB) Chambers, has been appointed Counsel to the inquiry. Stephen Brown, Deputy Director in the government legal department, has been appointed Solicitor to the inquiry.

The inquiry is on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @CranstonInquiry. A website for the inquiry will be launched in due course.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 January 2024.

80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.

The UK now has the most ambitious regulatory framework for the switch to electric vehicles of any country in the world, thanks to new laws which commenced today (3 January 2024). Following extensive consultation with industry and manufacturers, the mandate provides them with the certainty they have called for to safeguard skilled British jobs.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne will visit a new bp pulse hub in London today to mark the occasion, where he will see their ultra-fast EV chargers in action and meet drivers who are benefiting from the facility.

The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.

This follows the pragmatic decision taken by the Prime Minister to delay the ban on new diesel and petrol cars from 2030 to 2035, putting the UK in line with other major global economies such as France, Germany, Sweden and Canada. This allows time for consumers to make the choice to switch to electric, and to level up our charging infrastructure.

The UK has overdelivered on every carbon budget to date, having cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% since 1990. Recent Climate Change Committee analysis shows our more pragmatic approach has no material difference on our progress to cutting emissions, and households will now have more time to make the transition, saving some thousands of pounds at a time when the cost of living is high.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne said:

Alongside us having spent more than £2 billion in the transition to electric vehicles, our zero emission vehicle mandate will further boost the economy and support manufacturers to safeguard skilled British jobs in the automotive industry.

We are providing investment certainty for the charging sector to expand our charging network which has already grown by 44% since this time last year. This will support the constantly growing number of EVs in the UK, which currently account for over 16% of the new UK car market.

In a boost for the economy, the new laws will help households make the switch to electric, supporting growth of EV sales in the second-hand market and incentivising charging to roll out more widely across the country.

The government’s schemes to lower the upfront and running costs of owning an EV includes the plug-in van grant of up to £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for large vans until at least 2025 and £350 off the cost of homeplace chargepoints for people living in flats.

Latest statistics show that there has been a 41% increase in zero emission vehicles registered for the first time.

The UK’s charging network continues to grow at pace – there are now over 50,000 public chargepoints, with 44% more than this time last year, putting the country well on track to reach 300,000 chargepoints by 2030. The certainty of the ZEV mandate will give industry renewed confidence to invest in our infrastructure.

Additionally, last month the UK and EU agreed to extend trade rules on electric vehicles, saving manufacturers and consumers up to £4.3 billion in additional costs and providing long-term certainty for industry.

Akira Kirton, Vice President, bp pulse UK, said:

We are pleased to host the minister at our most powerful EV charging hub in central London to mark the start of the ZEV mandate.

This mandate instils confidence in our strategy, reaffirming our plans to invest £1 billion over 10 years to continue to develop hundreds of EV charging hubs across the country by 2030 to bolster the UK’s charging infrastructure.

Our approach to decarbonising transport has already attracted record investment in gigafactories and EV manufacturing, including:

• Nissan’s recent investment of over £3 billion to develop 2 new electric vehicles at their Sunderland plant
• Tata’s investment of over £4 billion in a new 40 GWh gigafactory
• BMW’s investment of £600 million to build next generation MINI EVs in Oxford
• Ford’s investment of £380 million in Halewood to make electric drive units
• Stellantis’ £100 million investment in Ellesmere Port for EV van production

The government also continues to support the rollout of EV infrastructure. Applications for the first round of the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure Fund are currently being assessed. This funding will deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints in local areas across England and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. The government has also launched a £70 million pilot to support the deployment of ultra-rapid charging points at motorway service areas.

Andrew Brem, General Manager of Uber UK, said:

London is Uber’s top city for EVs worldwide, with well over 10,000 electric vehicles on the platform in the capital. However, the availability and up-front cost of EVs can still be a barrier for many drivers.

The ZEV mandate coming into force is a significant moment which will help to drive down the costs of EVs and increase supply – accelerating the uptake of EVs over the next decade.

As part of our Plan for drivers, we intend to consult on ways to make installations cheaper and quicker for chargepoint operators, review the grid connections process for chargepoints, and also consult on the expansion of permitted development rights to make installations easier.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 December 2023.

Fare increases capped at 4.9% and will not increase until 3 March 2024.

The government has today (22 December 2023) announced a significant intervention to cap next year’s rail fare increase at 4.9%, considerably below the 9% July’s retail price index (RPI) figure on which they are historically based.

This comes as the government delivers its commitment to halve inflation by the end of the year with the latest statistics showing inflation is at its lowest level for over 2 years at 3.9% – helping to keep fare rises lower in the long term.

Since 1996, under both Labour and Conservative governments, regulated rail fares have increased closely in line with RPI inflation – never being more than 1% above or below RPI before last year’s significant government intervention.

Today’s announcement means fare increases are lower than last year’s rise and will not increase until 3 March 2024. This means passengers will not see any changes in their fares until then, giving them more time to purchase season tickets at the current rate and keeping fares as low as possible for longer. Fare changes will now take place in March every year moving forward.

The regulated fare cap for National Rail operators in England is also significantly lower than in Scotland where rail fares are set to increase by 8.7% from April next year.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Having met our target of halving inflation across the economy, this is a significant intervention by the government to cap the increase in rail fares below last year’s rise.

Changed working patterns after the pandemic means that our railways are still losing money and require significant subsidies, so this rise strikes a balance to keep our railways running, while not overburdening passengers.

We remain committed to supporting the rail sector reform outdated working practices to help put it on a sustainable financial footing.

Today’s announcement builds on last year’s unprecedented intervention, which saw government cap the increase for 2023 at 6.4 percentage points lower than the 2022 July RPI figure. This means the government will have helped keep ticket prices more than 9% lower than what passengers would have paid if rises matched the RPI benchmark in the last 2 years.

With changes to working and travel patterns, there are significant challenges facing the railways. From July to September 2023, rail revenues were 78% of pre-pandemic levels once inflation was taken into account. Over the past year (2022 to 2023), the taxpayer has provided £12 billion in support for the railways, which is over £420 per household, as it continues to deal with a persistent revenue shortfall after COVID-19.

Some fare increases are, therefore, necessary to ensure the financial sustainability of our rail network, as are cost-saving reforms which ministers have urged rail unions to agree with.

The 4.9% increase strikes the right balance to keep our railways running and financially sustainable, while not overburdening passengers with excessive fare rises as we bear down on inflation.

This comes on top of further government interventions to keep the cost of travel more affordable. Since January 2023, single bus fares in England have been capped at £2 thanks to government funding. The bus fare cap had been due to rise to £2.50 in November 2023 but we are keeping the fares down at £2 until the end of next year to help millions of people make significant savings on their travel costs.

The bus fare cap has helped cut fares in England outside London by 7.4% between June 2022 and June 2023, with even bigger savings in rural areas where fares have dropped by almost 11%. This extension is only possible due to the redirected High Speed 2 (HS2) funding as part of our Network North plan and takes the total government investment to keep bus fares down to nearly £600 million – with over 140 operators signing up to continue offering the cap across more than 5,000 routes.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 December 2023.

Changes will help protect crossing routes for hedgehogs and other small animals, particularly on rural roads in England.

Hedgehogs and other small animals will be better protected on English roads under rule changes announced today (22 December 2023) to make it easier for local authorities to put up wildlife warning signs.

The current hedgehog sign will be updated following feedback from the sector to make it clearer for drivers. Alongside this, rules around the small wildlife warning signs will be relaxed to make it easier for local authorities to put up small wildlife warning signs, helping to better protect hedgehogs and other small animals.

Changes made by the Department for Transport (DfT) will ensure local authorities are able to place small wild animal warning signs where they are needed most rather than having to apply to DfT on a case-by-case basis.

To mark the change, Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, visited Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire to meet a host of furry – and spiky – friends, many on the mend from road accidents. Touring the facility, he witnessed a hedgehog undergo surgery for a leg injury, ran a bath for hydrotherapy treatments, helped to weigh animals and witnessed one hedgehog pose in front of the new-look sign.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

It was an absolute pleasure to see behind the scenes at the famous Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, where I witnessed the incredible work they do to heal a wide range of wildlife.

These common-sense changes will lead to more small animal signs across the country, cutting down on bureaucracy to help protect both drivers and small animals, improving safety on our roads and making sure fewer casualties are checked into wildlife hospitals like these.

The small animal warning sign depicts a hedgehog and was first introduced in 2019. As well as cutting the restrictive red tape preventing them being placed, the government has also refreshed the design by adding white quills to the hedgehog’s back. This will improve clarity and make it more visible from a distance for all road users.

The changes will also help protect vital crossing routes for hedgehogs and other small animals, particularly on rural roads. Hedgehog numbers have dropped by between 30% and 75% in rural areas since the millennium, with traffic a major factor in the decline.

Colin Stocker, Chief Executive Officer at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, said:

On behalf of myself and everyone here at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, we were delighted to welcome Mark Harper to the hospital to hear more about the policy change that will make the process for erecting small animal road signs easier.

A lot of the 14,000 animals admitted to us every year come in due to road traffic accidents and making motorists more aware of their presence, and encouraging them to be more cautious is a great step towards helping British wildlife.

We were able to show Mark around our hospital and he was able to see some of the patients we currently have and meet the veterinary team behind the lifesaving work carried out here. We hope this policy change will result in more signage that, in turn, will remind motorists to be mindful of British wildlife when out and about.

Today’s announcement will help reduce bureaucracy for local authorities, allowing them to focus their resources more effectively on delivering for their communities. It follows recent announcements committing to improving conditions for motorists across the UK under the Plan for drivers.

The Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital was established by Les and Sue Stoker in 1978 as a refuge for injured animals to receive treatment and rehabilitation.