Tag: Department for Transport

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 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.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 November 2023.

Backed by £2.5 million of funding, specially-trained officers will enhance public safety and help prevent violence against women and girls on and around public transport.

Front-line safety personnel will be rolled out on public transport in 4 English areas to help stamp out anti-social behaviour on buses, trains and trams.

The new TSOs will patrol targeted routes and locations, working in co-ordination with local police forces and the British Transport Police. The officers will work to improve safety with an emphasis on engagement and education, however, they will also hold the power to issue fixed penalty notices in response to certain antisocial behaviour.

Following the successful implementation of a TSO scheme by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), £2.5 million in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) will see TSOs deployed in:

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
• Lancashire
• Stoke-on-Trent
• Thurrock – in collaboration with Essex and Southend-on-Sea councils

The pilots will allow local authorities to develop and implement approaches that react directly to the specific needs of their local area.

This is part of wider government commitments to improving public transport and follows the recent allocation of £150 million to improve bus services in the North and Midlands – the first tranche of £1 billion of new funding, redirected from High Speed 2 (HS2) as part of Network North.

Transport Minister, Richard Holden, said:

Anti-social behaviour is completely unacceptable – I want to see it eradicated from our public transport.

As part of the government’s anti-social behaviour action plan, these new specially trained officers will help drive offenders off local networks, so that people can travel on their local train, tram and bus with peace of mind.

The pilot will also give us a greater understanding of what works when it comes to tackling antisocial behaviour, enabling us to continue improving journeys for passengers in the future.

TfWM will receive funding to expand their own TSO scheme, recruiting officers specifically trained and dedicated to tackling incidents involving women’s safety, helping to make women and girls feel safer when travelling on public transport. The measure is part of a wider government strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), in answer to the recommendations as set out by the VAWG Transport Champions, Laura Shoaf and Anne Shaw.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said:

The vast majority of public transport journeys in our region – millions each week – are without incident but one bad experience for a passenger is one too many and risks putting them off public transport in future.

That’s why we’re always looking for new ways to improve safety and security. Working through our Safer Travel Partnership, we developed the new role of Transport Safety Officers to deal with anti-social behaviour and provide visible extra assurance to the travelling public.

TSOs have proven to be very effective and today’s visit shows that what we’re pioneering here in the West Midlands has been noticed by government. We’re now looking forward to helping other regions to develop their own teams of TSOs and learn from our experience.

Anne Shaw, Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands and Transport Champion for tackling VAWG, said:

While incidents do remain thankfully low, the fear of violence and intimidation is a huge barrier for women using public transport particularly when travelling alone or in the dark.

One way to improve safety is having more visible staff on our networks – which is why we have increased the numbers of uniformed officers on patrol through a dedicated team of transport safety officers.

They have proved a huge success in keeping people safe, both through directly tackling anti-social behaviour or simply providing a reassuring presence on board.

The roll out of the TSO scheme supports the government’s wider Anti-social behaviour action plan, which is backed by £160m worth of funding.

Under the plan, 16 areas in England and Wales are being funded to support either new anti-social behaviour focused ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trialling a new ‘immediate justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. A select few areas are trialling both interventions.

Thanks to this work, several hotspot trial forces have reported significant declines in anti-social behaviour. The Lancashire Constabulary have reported that in Brunswick, Blackpool, there has been a 36% fall in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour compared to the same period last year when hotspot patrols were not in place.

Staffordshire Police have reported a combined 20% fall in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour across 5 locations in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle under-Lyme compared to the previous year.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 30 October 2023.

Vital reforms considered by the Aviation Council to achieve an innovative and efficient sector that provides more choice and better value for passengers.

The Aviation Council is set to meet today (30 October 2023) to continue its progress towards futureproofing the UK aviation sector and maintain its status as one of the strongest in the world.

Established to deliver the government’s long-term aviation strategy, Flightpath to the Future, over the next 10 years, the Aviation Council will meet for the fourth time to consider vital reforms to help deliver a modern, innovative and efficient sector fit for the future. These key improvements will allow for new flights and destinations, providing more choice and better value for passengers with fewer delays. The meeting will also be a chance to welcome newest members UK tour operator TUI in the process.

A key area of work for the Council to improve the sector is airspace modernisation, which will deliver new and efficient planning that will help reduce aviation emissions. In addition, progress continues to be made towards reforming the current slot system, so it helps maintain a competitive and environmentally conscious aviation industry. This will provide more reliability and competition for passengers to choose from.

Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, said:

The UK aviation sector is one of the most competitive in the world and is a significant contributor to growth and jobs both domestically and internationally, so it’s vital the Aviation Council collaborates to help to build on that sustainably.

We will continue to push the UK aviation industry forward as we welcome newest member TUI, which has a strong record of delivering jobs and skills, bolstering the UK’s aviation workforce for the future.

Since the last Council, there has been considerable progress reducing the barriers for entry into the aviation sector and enhancing the use of apprenticeships, which has opened up routes for young people to join an industry that may have previously seemed inaccessible.

This progress will be supported by TUI’s addition to the Council. TUI champions it own multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) cadet programme, which see applicants train as a pilot before becoming a Cadet Pilot for TUI.

Marco Ciomperlik, Chief Airline Officer, TUI Group, said:

TUI offers top quality holidays to over 6 million British customers each year and TUI Airways has a unique position in UK aviation by flying from 22 UK airports to over 80 destinations with over 60 aircraft.

We are delighted to contribute to the Aviation Council to help drive progress on vital issues that will deliver more for passengers and create new job opportunities in our dynamic industry.

This training is paid for by TUI and paid off by the pilot as they earn an additional salary, helping those who otherwise would not be able to pay for the required training. With a clear track record in building a sustainable workforce, TUI’s inclusion to the Council will only help bolster the Council’s accrued knowledge.

Securing interest from young people to deliver the aviators of tomorrow is a key aim of the joint government-industry Generation Aviation programme. The latest data shows that over the course of the year, the programme has reached over 75,000 young people and jobseekers across its roadshows, education visits and general outreach – planting the seed that aviation is a fun, challenging and, most of all, exciting career path to explore.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 October 2023.

Regulations to improve the EV charging experience for millions of drivers.

Millions of electric vehicle (EV) drivers will benefit from easier and more reliable public charging thanks to new laws approved by MPs last night (24 October 2023).

New regulations will ensure that prices across chargepoints are transparent and easy to compare and that a large proportion of new public chargepoints have contactless payment options.

Providers will also be required to open up their data, so drivers can easily find an available chargepoint that meets their needs. It will open up data for apps, online maps and in-vehicle software, making it easier for drivers to locate chargepoints, check their charging speeds and determine whether they are working and available for use.

These measures come as the country reaches record levels of public charging infrastructure, with numbers growing 42% year on year.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

Over time, these new regulations will improve EV charging for millions of drivers, helping them find the chargepoints they want, providing price transparency so that they can compare the cost of different charging options, and updating payment methods.

They will make the switch to electric easier than ever for drivers, support the economy and help the UK reach its 2035 goals.

Once the regulations come into force, drivers will also be able to contact free 24/7 helplines for any issues accessing charging on public roads. Chargepoint operators will also have to open up chargepoint data, making it easier to find available chargers.

James Court, CEO, Electric Vehicle Association England, said:

Better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, plus the potentially game-changing opportunities of open data are all a major step forward for EV drivers and should make the UK one of the best places to charge in the world.

As the rollout of charging infrastructure gathers momentum, these regulations will ensure quality and help put consumers needs at the heart of this transition.

These regulations follow the government’s recent announcement of a range of measures to speed up the installation of chargepoints through the Plan for Drivers. This includes reviewing the grid connections process for installation and extending chargepoint grants for schools.

The government also continues to support the rollout of charging infrastructure in local areas. Applications are currently open to local authorities in the first round of the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure fund, which will deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. In addition, the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is open to all UK local authorities.

The government recently set out its world-leading path to reaching zero emission vehicles by 2035, which will require 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030. Today’s regulations will help support drivers as more and more switch to electric.

Today the government has also published its response to the Future of Transport Zero Emission Vehicles consultation, confirming its intention to introduce laws to require local transport authorities to produce local charging strategies if they have not done so as part of local transport plans. This will ensure that every part of the country has a plan for EV charging infrastructure.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 23 October 2023.

The competition will award grants to businesses that seek to provide solutions to some of transport’s most-pressing issues, including decarbonisation.

A new £1.8 million competition is opening to support the latest innovative transport solutions as the government seeks to grow the economy while looking at ways to decarbonise transport.

The latest round of funding through the Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) competition has opened today (23 October 2023) and sees an increased available grant amount per winner of up to £45,000 per project.

This round of funding will look at several different areas including ways to decarbonise airport operations and ways to better use artificial intelligence (AI) to make transport cheaper and quicker.

The TRIG competition, delivered by the Connected Places Catapult (CPC), awards grants to businesses seeking to develop research and provide solutions to some of transport’s most-pressing issues including decarbonisation.

Last year’s TRIG competition saw 67 projects awarded funding, including personalised navigation apps for disabled passengers and robots for freight at ports, creating jobs and growing the economy across the UK.

Technology Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

TRIG funding has been a huge success over the past 10 years, helping to pioneer the new ideas to solve the transport problems of tomorrow.

Today’s launch of the latest round of funding promises to build on the knowledge that innovation is key to helping improve transport across the UK, making lives easier and creating jobs.

This year, the competition is seeking proposals which focus on:

• airport decarbonisation: innovative ideas to support the development of airport ground infrastructure for zero emission aircraft or to support airport operations transition to zero emission
• local transport decarbonisation: innovative ideas that accelerate the decarbonisation of local transport systems, demonstrating an understanding of the needs of local areas and communities, whilst also having the potential to be scaled-up across the UK in the future
• the Future of Freight: innovative ideas that address the opportunities and challenges faced by the Freight and Logistics sector and its supporting services, as outlined in the Future of Freight plan
• maritime decarbonisation: innovative ideas for maritime solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the UK’s maritime sector, as set out in the Clean Maritime Plan, and support the transition to net zero by 2050
• connectivity, AI and digital twins: innovative ideas that combine AI, digital twins and / or digital connectivity together to enable a resilient transport system delivering cheaper, cleaner, and quicker journeys for all
• open call: innovative ideas that have the potential to address a UK transport challenge, across all modes, challenges and technology areas

Following its continued success, TRIG is now in its 10th year, with over £12 million has been awarded to 361 projects since 2014. Previous winners have developed a range pioneering of initiatives including:

• an app that uses augmented reality to help visually impaired passengers get around rail stations
• kite-powered tug boats to reduce emissions
• drones to deliver packages in hard-to-reach areas

Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive Officer, Nicola Yates OBE, said:

Transport research and innovation grants support high-potential innovators to develop their fresh ideas. Alongside financial assistance, they will receive a wide-range of business support from Connected Places Catapult to help them realise their commercial potential.

The increased funding available per project this year will mean innovators have access to more resources to further their ideas. If you have an innovative idea that could help tackle some of the UK’s transport challenges, I urge you to apply now.

Previous winners include Edge Innovation, which created a new approach to community car sharing in rural areas.

Head of Projects at Edge Innovation, Susan Ross, said:

The programme has enabled a new product, brand and support packages to be created and to move the concept from TRL2 to TRL6. This would not have been possible without the TRIG programme.

The application process and monitoring processes were user friendly and the teams at CPC and the Department for Transport were very supportive.  I would encourage anyone who has a transport innovation however big or small to apply. I am certainly glad that we did!

IONA Drones, the first drone solution that meets the needs and regulations for rural logistics, enables efficient and sustainable autonomous deliveries anywhere and for everybody.

IONA Drones Chief Executive, Etienne Louvet, said:

TRIG and the CPC network were instrumental on IONA’s research and development efforts, especially when funding gets scarce which naturally penalises industrial technologies.

Since then, we have continued to work efficiently and are pursuing new later stage opportunities.

The TRIG competition is now open for applications.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 October 2023.

Updated guidance explains what passengers need to know about their rights and responsibilities when flying.

As millions of people are expected to travel through UK airports over the upcoming half term, the Department for Transport (DfT) has today (19 October 2023) refreshed the newly named Air passenger travel guide, making it even easier for passengers to know their rights and responsibilities when they travel.

Formerly known as the aviation passenger charter, it details what people can expect from airlines, travel agents, tour operators and airports, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.

This includes advice on what to do if flights are cancelled or delayed, if baggage goes missing, and the rights of disabled passengers, as well as guidance on how to complain if passengers feel they have been treated unfairly.

Not only does it help passengers in these stressful situations, the travel guide also provides general advice for all aspects of your journey, such as what to expect at passport control, what you can bring through UK customs and how to manage connecting flights.

It also reminds passengers to regularly check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) website for the latest security and safety advice before booking travel, as well as what counts as an extraordinary circumstance when compensation isn’t available.

The advice also makes clear that while security checks are changing over the coming months, they should continue to be prepared to remove electronics and small liquids from their bags when travelling by air.

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:

Whether going on holiday, travelling for business or visiting loved ones, we all want our journeys to be smooth and without any hiccups, which is why the air passenger travel guide is so important.

Having a one-stop shop of information and advice, which is clear and concise, will help improve the overall travel experience and make sure passengers are getting what they deserve.

As part of a regular review to ensure it remains as useful as possible for passengers, the travel guide will also soon contain British Sign Language and easy-read versions and accessibility information is now in one collated and convenient section, making it easier for disabled passengers to find out how to book assistance at the airport and on the plane.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association, said:

There are lots of rights in place to protect people who are heading off on holiday, particularly if they are caught up in delays or cancellations. But your rights do vary depending on what you booked – with those on a package holiday enjoying greater protection.

The air passenger travel guide gives a good outline of what travellers can expect and ABTA is also on hand to guide our members’ customers and offer additional cover through the ABTA code of conduct.

DfT has recently committed to strengthen the powers of the Civil Aviation Authority and mandate alternative dispute resolutions that make it easier for consumers to escalate complaints.

To encourage airlines and operators to promote the travel guide, Aviation Minister Baroness Vere has written to 30 partners in the aviation industry to encourage the use of the guide on individual booking websites – so from the moment they book, passengers have the information they need for their whole journey – without the need to go searching.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 October 2023.

New funding will create new jobs and provide crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.

More zero emission trucks are set to drive on UK roads thanks to a £200 million boost to decarbonise freight vehicles, drive innovation and create new jobs as part of a week of government action to support the sector.

With heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) alone contributing 20% to all transport emissions across the UK, the £200 million in government funding announced today (19 October 2023) will be invested across 4 innovative green projects to roll out up to 370 zero emission HGVs and help set road freight on the path towards net zero, driving innovation and creating new jobs.

Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the £200 million government investment from the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme will also deliver around 57 refuelling and electric charging sites, providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise.

Roads Minister, Richard Holden, visited Voltempo in Birmingham yesterday – one of the recipients of the £200 million – whose eFREIGHT 2030 project is set to create up to 200 new jobs by 2030 and provide Birmingham with one of the UK’s first electric vehicle charging hubs dedicated to HGVs.

The funding will help popular grocery companies such as Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer lower their transport emissions while protecting them from rising delivery costs associated with changing petrol and diesel prices. This could help prevent price hikes across supermarkets, allowing people to save money on food and groceries to help with the cost of living.

This funding comes as part of the government’s commitment to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future. Decarbonising the freight sector is a key part of building a sustainable future for the industry and achieving our net zero commitments in a fair and pragmatic way that lowers costs, creates jobs and grows the economy.

Further to Voltempo, the other projects that will receive a share of the £200 million boost are Project Electric Freightway by GRIDSERVE, Project Zero Emission North (ZEN) Freight and Hydrogen Aggregated Logistics (HyHAUL) by Protium.

Roads Minister, Richard Holden, said:

Freight and logistics are the beating heart of our economy and it is only right that we celebrate the sector so that it gets the recognition and support it deserves.

From boosting zero emission tech across freight to attracting the future generation of talent to the industry, we are working hard to drive innovation, create jobs and grow the economy by building a brighter, more innovative future for one of our most crucial industries.

Decarbonisation Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

The UK is at the forefront of the global transition to net zero and today marks another important milestone to decarbonise freight, one of the economy’s most vital industries.

That’s why I’m pleased to reveal that we’re investing £200 million to roll out 370 zero emission trucks, and a further £2.4 million to pioneer green tech through the Freight Innovation Fund, as we work closely with the sector to create new jobs, grow the economy and reach net zero by 2050.

The measures come during a week of action from the government, including ministers visiting multiple freight stakeholders, to understand how the sector can continue to drive innovation and play a crucial role in creating new jobs, growing the economy and helping the UK get closer to net zero.

Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association, said:

We strongly welcome today’s announcement from the government on the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme.

The £200 million commitment ministers are putting into this demonstrator significantly helps to de-risk the transition to net zero. The real-world demonstrators will answer many of the practical questions operators have and, in turn, give our members the confidence to invest in the zero emission lorries needed to drive down carbon emissions from our sector.

This week has also seen the publication of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. This sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans that manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030 as part of a new pragmatic and realistic pathway to 100% zero emission vehicle sales from 2035.

Indro Mukerjee, CEO of Innovate UK, said:

As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK is committed to supporting innovative UK businesses working to decarbonise the UK’s road freight industry.

Together with the Department for Transport (DfT), the £200 million in government funding will develop world-leading battery and hydrogen trucks and demonstrate, at a large scale, creating greener jobs and boosting our net zero economy.

To further drive innovation in freight and logistics, an additional £2.4 million has also been unlocked through the second round of the Freight Innovation Fund (FIF). As part of the fund, the FIF Accelerator – open for applications from today – will help up to 10 small and medium enterprises develop new ways to make freight greener, more efficient and more resilient.

The £7 million, 3-year FIF aims to scale up and roll out innovative technology across the industry to decarbonise freight. It is at the heart of the Future of Freight Plan, the first-ever cross-modal and cross-government vision to help the industry improve planning, boost innovation in data and technology and facilitate the transition to net zero.

The first round of the FIF supported a series of groundbreaking projects, from using drones to deliver mail and services to the Orkney Islands, implementing AI and data to reduce costs, to deploying zero-emission technology to track and move freight across London.

Nicola Yates OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult, said:

Freight is a crucial sector for the UK and contributes around £127 billion to the economy, but it is not without its challenges. Reducing the sector’s carbon footprint, cutting journey times and easing traffic congestion are key areas of focus, alongside the development of efficient and better-connected logistics hubs.

We are proud to be continuing our work with DfT as we open applications for the second cohort of the FIF accelerator programme. The companies chosen will benefit from access to funding and expert support to develop their technologies and innovations that promise to make the freight sector grow, become greener and work smarter.

Freight Week will also see the launch of 2 calls for evidence to continue exploring new ways for the freight industry to decarbonise and become more efficient.

The first is the call for evidence to inform and support the Development of the zero emission HGV and coach infrastructure strategy, which is due to be published in 2024. This will ensure the delivery of the infrastructure required to meet the 2035 and 2040 phase-out dates for non-zero emission HGVs.

The second is the call for evidence on Volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs), which will consider whether a temporary weight allowance should remain, be removed or amended for the vehicles beyond the current deadline of 2028. It will consider the best options to reduce waste, limit costs and ensure fair competition while taking into account how to continue ensuring road safety.

With DfT providing approximately £20 million per year in freight revenue grants, the government will also consider how to boost freight across a variety of modes.

The Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant will be reviewed to explore how to continue helping the sector decarbonise by shifting freight from road to rail or water through the 2 schemes.

October also marks the start of Year 2 of Generation Logistics, backed by £645,000 in government funding across 2 years, which will be led by CILT and Logistics UK.

Following a successful first year, Generation Logistics will now focus on raising awareness of the logistics sector and its career opportunities, specifically among young people in schools and colleges, in an effort to boost recruitment and retention of a more skilled and diverse workforce.

Kate Jennings, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, said:

Logistics underpins every sector of the UK economy and it is positive to see its importance being championed during Freight Week.

As an industry committed to decarbonising, we welcome the investment through the FIF, as well as the outcome of the zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme.

Freight Week follows the decision to extend the fuel duty cut to March 2024 and the 33 unprecedented actions from DfT to support the haulage sector. These include up to £100 million in joint government and industry funding to improve roadside facilities for lorry drivers, and £34 million to create up to 11,000 skill bootcamps and increase the capacity for HGV driver tests by 90% compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

Michael Boxwell, Project Director of eFREIGHT 2030, said:

eFREIGHT 2030 sets us on a journey to net zero within the heavy road freight industry. DfT support kick-starts the transformation, enabling us to create the charging infrastructure and bring in electric HGVs simultaneously.

By early 2026, we will have 11 fleets deploying electric HGVs and a nationwide HGV charging network using British-built chargers. Each charge hub will provide at least 6 charge bays and 1,000kW charging. This demonstration programme combined with world-class infrastructure will give fleet operators confidence they can deploy electric HGVs at scale.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 October 2023.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 October 2023.

Plan to provide faster journey times across the UK includes bringing parts of North Wales within an hour of Manchester through upgrade of the North Wales Main Line.

A total of £36 billion in savings from HS2 will be reinvested in hundreds of transport projects across the country.

Today (4 October 2023), we have announced the Network North plan, which will still see HS2 delivered between Birmingham and Euston in central London.

But every penny that would have been spent extending the route will instead be redirected into local transport projects to drive economic growth and provide jobs.

Network North will deliver greater connectivity across the country with faster journey times, increased capacity and more frequent, reliable services, and connections will also be strengthened across the UK.

An unprecedented £1 billion investment will bring parts of North Wales within an hour of Manchester through a major upgrade of the North Wales Main Line, including electrification.

It will mean journeys will become more punctual and reliable on the 105-mile route between Crewe, Liverpool, Warrington, Wrexham and Holyhead, where ferry services run to Dublin.

The funding comes alongside £12 billion set aside for Northern Powerhouse Rail, allowing delivery of high-speed links between Manchester and Liverpool as previously planned.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 October 2023.

100,000 homes and businesses in rural parts of the UK will be further supported to access improved broadband connections.

100,000 homes and businesses in the most remote and rural parts of the UK will be further supported to access substantially improved broadband connections, under plans outlined by the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey today (Monday 2 October).

The government is committed to ensuring rural communities have access to reliable gigabit-capable broadband connection across the UK, with a target of reaching 85% of premises by 2025 and to reach as close to 100 per cent as soon as possible after.

However, a small minority of premises in rural and remote areas of the UK – known as ‘Very Hard to Reach Premises’ – are unlikely to benefit directly from the substantial activity across the telecoms industry to deliver gigabit-capable broadband services. This can be caused by their isolated location, low population density or limited existing telecoms infrastructure – all of which can make them challenging to connect.

Consultations published today outline plans to review and update the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which already gives homeowners and businesses the legal right to request an affordable, decent broadband connection, and to develop and assess future policy to improve broadband connectivity for Very Hard to Reach Premises.

Alongside the measures to improve rural connectivity, the Secretary of State set out the government’s plans to level up rural communities by unlocking new homes in rural areas and investing in new technology to improve local transport links.

The ‘Future of Transport: Helping local authorities to unlock the benefits of technology and innovation in rural transport’ will support local authorities, transport planners, bus operators and transport companies explore how emerging technologies could be deployed in non-urban areas.

Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey said:

“Our countryside, home to millions of people, is rich in potential and we want to make sure that everyone can develop their skills and reach the opportunities for success.

“So whether through improved connectivity, housing or transport I’m championing rural communities as we seek to grow our economy – so that every part of our country gets the support it needs to thrive.”

Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey announced:

• A consultation on reviewing and updating the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) which already gives homeowners and businesses the legal right to request an affordable, decent broadband connection.
• A consultation on further proposals to improve broadband provision for Very Hard to Reach Premises, which are unlikely to receive a gigabit-capable connection via either a commercial or government funded intervention. This will ensure communities with the most limited connectivity experience a step-change in their digital connectivity as soon as possible, fuelling the economy and supporting jobs growth for decades to come.
• A statement from Homes England setting out its work to support rural communities and families by enabling the delivery of more good quality, affordable homes. The statement includes case studies of successful rural housing schemes currently operating within Cornwall and the Yorkshire Dales.
• The publication of ‘Future of Transport: Helping local authorities to unlock the benefits of technology and innovation in rural transport’ to help rural local authorities, their communities and other stakeholders to harness transport innovation, helping to improve access to services, tackle isolation and increase access to jobs in rural and remote areas.

The announcements build on the Unleashing Rural Opportunity paper published in June, which outlines how government will deliver the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity across the country.

Defra also continues its rural proofing work whereby all government policy is examined to ensure it is delivering for rural communities. The next rural proofing report will be published later this year.

This follows a decade of action that has boosted rural connectivity and opportunity, from our flagship Project Gigabit programme that has already helped to deliver high-speed, reliable and future-proof broadband to more than 75 per cent of the nation, to improving access to doctors in underserved areas, fixing millions of potholes and resurfacing thousands of miles of road on which our rural communities rely.

Further information

• This a broad range of steps the government is taking to boost rural communities on housing, transport, digital connectivity and jobs as set out in Unleashing Rural Opportunity.
• Rural areas already contribute over 15% to England’s economy, which amounts to over £270 billion of our national GDP, but the programme seeks to unlock further growth.
• This builds on significant government action since 2010 to support rural communities including in March it announced the grant awards of the Rural England Prosperity Fund, a £110 million rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support levelling up across the UK. It will support initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost tourism, and community infrastructure projects such as electric vehicle charging stations.
• Huge improvements have also been made over the last decade to support connectivity in rural areas. Over 75% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, [up from 6% at the beginning of 2019], and over 730,000 premises have already been upgraded in hard-to-reach rural areas as part of our £5 billion Project Gigabit investment.
• Investing, jointly with industry, £1 billion in the Shared Rural Network to improve 4G mobile coverage throughout the UK to reach 95% geographic coverage by the end of 2025.
• Help for rural low-income households to move to cheaper heating. Up to £378 million is being made available in grants, ring-fenced for rural areas, to fund energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades for low-income households living off the gas grid in England.

On the Boiler Upgrade Scheme:

• Our Boiler Upgrade Scheme is supporting families across the country with costs, with over £81 million in vouchers issued in the first year. The scheme recently received a 50% increase in funding from £5,000 to £7,500 – making it one of the most generous support schemes of its kind in Europe.
• The Prime Minister recently set out proposals to make it easier and cheaper for households to install heat pumps. We remain fully focused on meeting our aim of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028.
• While most off-grid properties will ultimately switch to heat pumps, not all buildings are suitable for one – instead, these properties will need a range of technologies and approaches to help decarbonise their heating and reach our net zero goals. We are currently looking into whether these could include high temperature heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, solid biomass, and renewable liquid fuels, like HVO – and we will publish our recommendations on this in due course.