TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | ANIMAL PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Seeking views on proposals to make it compulsory for bird keepers in Great Britain to register their birds.
We received 3,419 responses (3,387 through Citizen Space and 32 by email).
Following careful consideration of responses and taking into account government objectives to tackle outbreaks of notifiable avian diseases (such as bird flu) in kept birds, the UK government, the Scottish Government and Welsh Government have agreed to proceed with proposed changes to:
extend registration to all kept birds, not just poultry, and reduce the threshold from 50 to 1
exempt psittacines and passerines (budgies, parrots, canaries and similar species) kept within a dwelling or in a dedicated ‘bird house’ without any access to the outside, from the mandatory registration requirement
mandate all keepers to review their records annually
The proposed changes will be implemented in 2 phases. The mandatory registration requirements would apply from late summer or early autumn 2024 and the mandatory annual updates 12 months afterwards.
Original consultation
Summary
Seeking views on proposals to make it compulsory for bird keepers in Great Britain to register their birds.
We want to hear your views on our plans to amend and extend the current compulsory poultry registration requirements to all bird keepers or bird keepers with 10 or more birds.
We are also seeking your views on the requirement for all bird keepers to update their information on the register annually.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | ANIMAL PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Apply for a specific licence to move animals onto or off a bluetongue restricted premises.
There are currently no temporary control zones in force. However, some premises in England remain under bluetongue restriction.
These include:
Holdings where some or all susceptible animals have not yet been sampled and tested by APHA
You should apply for a specific licence if you need to move your animals on to and off the premises before all susceptible animals have been tested or an inventory of all animals on the premises has been taken by APHA.
Holdings with links to premises where positive cases have been confirmed also known as traced premises
An epidemiological investigation will be undertaken and restrictions appropriate to these specific circumstances will be put in place. If you need to move your animals onto and off these premises, whilst these restrictions are in place, you can apply for a specific licence.
You can also apply for a specific movement licence if there’s an urgent and genuine welfare need to move animals, including short moves out of the TCZ.
If a welfare licence is approved, the animals will be placed under restriction. You may be asked by the APHA licensing team to organise a visit by your private vet, at your cost, to take samples from the animals after they have moved. The samples will currently be tested free of charge.
Premises that have completed official bluetongue virus testing, and one or more polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or serology positive entire males or pregnant females are still present
Keepers will be issued with a multiple use licence (EXD590). Under this licence any animal may be moved on or off the premises except the animals detailed in the prohibited list of the EXD 590 licence.
This prohibited list will include the following animals found PCR or serology positive through previous official bluetongue virus surveillance testing:
entire male animals
female animals of breeding age and any (not yet tested) offspring born to them. Age categories this applies to are as follows:
cattle and deer over 12 months
camelids over 10 months
sheep, goats and other small ruminants over 6 months
Keepers may provide a veterinary attestation confirming the female animals which are of breeding age are not pregnant, asking APHA to remove them from the list of prohibited animals.
You should apply as soon as possible for any activity that may require a licence. APHA will aim to turn-round applications as quickly as possible to meet demands.
Please allow at least 5 days for your licence application to be processed where possible. Complex and high-risk movements will need extra time to process.
You must make contingency plans to allow for the time it takes to issue the licence. Consider what steps you will need to take if the licence is refused or cannot be issued in time.
If a licence is issued, it will normally allow for a one-off movement. It will be subject to certain conditions based on disease control risk.
Designated slaughterhouses
List of abattoirs that can slaughter animals from a bluetongue virus restricted premises under licence.
Published 16 November 2023 Last updated 18 March 2024 + show all updates
Updated the list of bluetongue designated abattoirs.
Updated the list of bluetongue designated abattoirs.
Updated the list of bluetongue designated abattoirs.
Updated the list of bluetongue designated abattoirs.
Updated the list of bluetongue designated abattoirs.
Updated to reflect that there are currently no temporary control zones in force. However, some premises in England remain under bluetongue restriction.
Slaughterhouses section - added 3 additional abattoirs, and updated the information about when these abattoirs can slaughter affected animals.
Updated the list of abattoirs that can slaughter animals from the free area and from within a TCZ. Added additional details about specific movement licences you can apply for.
Updated to reflect that the reduced risk from midges means that some movements of live animals out of the zone are can now be temporarily permitted subject to pre-movement testing and that they meet certain licence conditions.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | ANIMAL PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Check the air, sea and rail carriers registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency to transport assistance dogs with their owners.
These transport companies have agreed with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) how they’ll check assistance dogs meet pet travel rules on these routes.
If you travel from an EU country, you can use other companies and routes, but you should check they:
accept assistance dogs
check pets meet travel rules
Your dog could be quarantined and you could be delayed if:
you travel with a company that is not registered with APHA
your assistance dog does not meet pet travel rules
Updated the list of airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the list of airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the list of airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated details for Brussels Airlines in the list of airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the list of airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated email address for London Heathrow Airport on the list 'Airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs'.
Amended the list for 'Ferry and cruise companies registered to transport assistance dogs'.
Added Norwegian Cruise Line vessels to the list of cruise ships registered to transport assistance dogs with their owners.
Removed the P&O Ferries route from Zeebrugge to Hull from the list of ferry and cruise companies registered to transport assistance dogs.
Norse Atlantic Airways UK and Norse Atlantic Airways AS are registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Added 'Arvia' to the list of P&O Cruise ships registered to transport assistance dogs with their owners.
Updated the pet checker details and phone numbers for Aberdeen airport.
Removed Doncaster Sheffield airport as it has ceased transporting and checking assistance dogs ahead of its closure.
BA CityFlyer added to list of airports and airlines registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the list of ferry and cruise companies registered to transport assistance dogs with their owners.
We have updated London Southend Airport's record.
Updated the airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs. Added Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
Updated the airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
We have updated the approved pet checker and airlines who are registered with APHA to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the airlines and airports registered to transport and check assistance dogs.
Updated the details for British Airways in the airlines and airports
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | ANIMAL PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Check the transport companies and routes you can use to bring your pet cat, dog or ferret to England, Scotland or Wales.
You can only use these carriers and routes approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to bring your pet to England or Scotland. There are no approved routes to Wales.
You must follow pet travel rules. Ask your travel company if they have extra rules you must follow.
Exemptions
You don’t have to use an approved carrier or route if you travel to England, Scotland or Wales from:
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Changed London Heathrow (HARC) to London Heathrow (Animal Aircare) for the following airlines: Aer Lingus, Air India, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, EL Al Israel Airlines, Iberia, Iberia Express and Lufthansa
Added China Airlines Ltd to the list of commercial airlines you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
We've updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use.
The list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel has been updated.
Updated the list of airlines and airports you can use for pet travel.
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | ARMED FORCES PAY REVIEW BODY
Register of interests of the review body members.
As part of Government’s transparency agenda, Review body members’ register of interests are disclosed here.
Data on the number of migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats without permission to enter the UK each day, from 1 January 2018.
Data for the last 7 days is updated every weekday. The time series is updated every Wednesday.
The data published here is provisional and subject to change, including reduction. Finalised data on small boat crossings since 2018 is published in the quarterly Irregular migration to the UK release.
If you need a code for a breed that is not on this list, contact the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).
Cattle Tracing System (CTS) breed code list
This list replaces the version in the Cattle Keeper’s Handbook.
Description
Breed
Aberdeen Angus
AA
Aberdeen Angus Cross
AAX
Abondance
AB
Abondance Cross
ABX
Australian Lowline
ALL
Australian Lowline Cross
ALLX
Angler Rotvieh
AR
Angler Rotvieh Cross
ARX
Ankole
AN
Ankole Cross
ANX
Armoricaine
AM
Armoricaine Cross
AMX
Aubrac
AU
Aubrac Cross
AUX
Ayrshire
AY
Ayrshire Cross
AYX
Baltata Romaneasca
BRO
Bazadaise
BAZ
Bazadaise Cross
BAZX
Beefalo
BEL
Beef Shorthorn
BSH
Beef Shorthorn Cross
BSHX
Belted Galloway
BG
Belted Galloway Cross
BGX
Belted Welsh Black
BWB
Belted Welsh Black Cross
BWBX
Bison
BI
Blonde D’Aquitaine
BA
Blonde D’Aquitaine Cross
BAX
Blue Albion
BAL
Blue Albion Cross
BALX
Blue Grey
BLG
Blue Grey Cross
BLGX
Brahman
BR
Brahman Cross
BRX
Bretonne Pie-Noire
BP
Bretonne Pie-Noire Cross
BPX
British Blue
BRB
British Blue Cross
BRBX
British Friesian
BF
British Friesian Cross
BFX
British White
BW
British White Cross
BWX
Brown Swiss
BS
Brown Swiss Cross
BSX
Charolais
CH
Charolais Cross
CHX
Chianina
CHI
Chianina Cross
CHIX
Chillingham
CHL
Chillingham Cross
CHLX
Cross Breed Beef
CB
Cross Breed Dairy
CD
Coloured Welsh
CW
Coloured Welsh Cross
CWX
Danish Red
DR
Danish Red Cross
DRX
Dairy Shorthorn
DS
Dairy Shorthorn Cross
DSX
Devon
DEV
Devon Cross
DEVX
Dexter
DEX
Dexter Cross
DEXX
Dwarf Zebu
DZE
East Finnish Brown
EFB
East Finnish Brown Cross
EFBX
Estonian Red
ER
Estonian Red Cross
ERX
Flekvieh
FKV
Flekvieh Cross
FKVX
Frisona Espagnola
FE
Frisona Espagnola Cross
FEX
Gasconne
GAS
Gasconne Cross
GASX
Galloway
GA
Galloway Cross
GAX
Gelbvieh
GE
Gelbvieh Cross
GEX
Gloucester
GL
Gloucester Cross
GLX
Groninger Blaarkop
GB
Groninger Blaarkop Cross
GBX
Guernsey
GU
Guernsey Cross
GUX
Heck
HK
Heck Cross
HKX
Hereford
HE
Hereford Cross
HEX
Highland
HI
Highland Cross
HIX
Holstein
HO
Holstein Cross
HOX
Holstein Friesian
HF
Holstein Friesian Cross
HFX
Hungarian Steppe
HS
Hungarian Steppe Cross
HSX
INRA95
INRA
INRA95 Cross
INRAX
Irish Moiled
IM
Irish Moiled Cross
IMX
Jersey
JE
Jersey Cross
JEX
Kerry
KE
Kerry Cross
KEX
Lakenvelder
LV
Lakenvelder Cross
LVX
Limousin
LIM
Limousin Cross
LIMX
Lincoln Red
LR
Lincoln Red Cross
LRX
Longhorn
LH
Longhorn Cross
LHX
Luing
LU
Luing Cross
LUX
Maine Anjou
MA
Maine Anjou Cross
MAX
Maraichine
MAC
Maraichine Cross
MACX
Marchigiana
MAR
Marchigiana Cross
MARX
Meuse Rhine Issel
MRI
Meuse Rhine Issel Cross
MRIX
Montbeliarde
MO
Montbeliarde Cross
MOX
Murray Grey
MG
Murray Grey Cross
MGX
Normande
NO
Normande Cross
NOX
Northern Dairy Shorthorn
NDS
Northern Dairy Shorthorn Cross
NDSX
Norwegian Red
NR
Norwegian Red Cross
NRX
Other Dairy
OD
Parthenais
PA
Parthenais Cross
PAX
Piemontese
PI
Piemontese Cross
PIX
Pie Rouge
P
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | CABINET OFFICE
This data provides details of Cabinet Office spend over £25,000 since 1 April 2010.
In line with UK government commitments to increase transparency, we are now publishing details of spend over £25,000 since 1 April 2010 and over £500 from 1 April 2011. We will continue to publish this data regularly.
Re-uploaded the Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - January 2024 data as the previous version was a duplication of December 2023 uploaded in error.
Added: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - January 2024
Added the file: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - December 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - November 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - October 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - September 2023
Added the documents:
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - August 2023
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - July 2023
Updated the following documents which now includes GPA data which was previously missing:
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - June 2023
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - May 2023
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - April 2023
Updated the following entries to now includes transactions that were previously omitted which can now be published due to the issue being resolved:
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - March 2023,
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - October 2022
Added the file: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - June 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - April 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - April 2023
Added the document: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - March 2023
Added the documents:
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - October 2022
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - November 2022
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - December 2022
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - January 2023
Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - February 2023
Added date for: Cabinet Office:
spend data over £25,000 - August 2022
spend data over £25,000 - September 2022
Added: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - July 2022
Added: Expenditure over £25,000 - June 2022
Added: Cabinet Office: spend data over £25,000 - May 2022
Added spend data for April 2022
Added data for March 2022.
Adding new data for November - February
October 2021 added
Added September data
New monthly data
Added July 2021
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | CABINET OFFICE
This page provides information on how honours committees are made up and who the current members are.
Honours committees are made up of senior civil servants (‘official members’) and people who are independent of government (‘independent members’). All honours committees have a majority of members who are independent.
Each honours committee has an independent chairperson. A representative from 10 Downing Street is invited to attend all committee meetings.
Honours committees review honours nominations for people involved in specific activities (like arts and media or sport) which are then sent to the Main Honours Committee.
Main committee
Members:
Sir Chris Wormald KCB
The Cabinet Secretary
Chair of Arts and Media Committee: John Booth
Chair of Community and Voluntary Services Committee: The Rt Hon Nick Hurd
Chair of Economy Committee: Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia DBE CVO FRSE
Chair of Education Committee: Sir Hamid Patel CBE
Chair of Health and Social Care Committee: Dame Jane Dacre DBE
Chair of Parliamentary and Political Service Committee: The Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury CBE
Chair of Public Service Committee: Vacancy
Chair of Science, Technology and Research Committee: Stephen Kelly
Chair of Sport Committee: The Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL
Chair of State Committee: Mark Addison CB
The Permanent Under Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The Chief of the Defence Staff
Arts and Media
John Booth - Chair, National Gallery and Prince’s Trust (Independent Chair)
Independent members:
Sir Peter Bazalgette - Chair, ITV
YolanDa Brown OBE DL - Saxophonist, Broadcaster and Chair of BPI
Ben Evans CBE - Director of the London Design Festival and Executive Director of London Design Biennale
Sir Richard Mantle OBE DL - Cultural administrator, Chair of The Grange Festival, Chair of In Peace or War and former General Director of Opera North
George Saumarez Smith - Director of ADAM Architecture
Samir Shah CBE - CEO, Juniper
3 x vacancies
Official members:
Susannah Storey CB - Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
John-Paul Marks CB - Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government
Community and Voluntary Service
Chair: The Rt Hon Nick Hurd (Independent Chair)
Independent members:
Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski - Emeritus Rabbi, Golders Green Synagogue; Chief Strategist and Rabbinic Head, University Jewish Chaplaincy
Carly Jones MBE - Autism Advocate
Ros Kerslake CBE - Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund
Adeeba Malik CBE - Deputy Chief Executive, QED UK
2 x Vacancies
Official members:
Susannah Storey CB - Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Sarah Healey CB – Permanent Secretary, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Dr Andrew Goodall CBE - Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government
Sir Douglas Flint CBE – Chairman, Standard Life Aberdeen
Dame Vivian Hunt DBE - Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Dr Gerard Lyons - Chief Economic Strategist, Netwealth
2 x Vacancies
Official members:
Gareth Davies CB - Permanent Secretary, Department for Business and Trade
Jeremy Pocklington CB - Permanent Secretary, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
John-Paul Marks CB - Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government
James Bowler CB - Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury
Education
Sir Hamid Patel CBE - Chief Executive, Star Academies (independent chair)
Independent members:
Dame Sally Coates DBE - Director of Secondary Education, United Learning
Dame Sally Dicketts DBE - President, Association of Colleges
Sir Martyn Oliver - Chief Executive Officer, Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Dame Alison Peacock DBE DL - Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching
2 x vacancies
Official members:
Jayne Brady MBE - Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service
Susan Acland-Hood – Permanent Secretary, Department for Education
Health and Social Care
Professor Dame Jane Dacre DBE - Professor of Medical Education, University College London and President, Medical Protection Society (independent chair)
Independent members:
Sir David Behan CBE – Chair, Health Education England
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz – Chair, Cancer Research UK and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, University of Cambridge
Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE - lately National Guardian for the NHS
The Baroness Harding of Winscombe - Chair of NHS Improvement
Professor Karen Middleton CBE - Chief Executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Professor Iqbal Singh CBE - Chair, Centre of Excellence and Safety for Older People
1 x Vacancy
Official members:
Professor Sir Chris Whitty KCB - Chief Medical Officer (England)
Shona Dunn – Second Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care
Judith Paget CBE - Director General, Department for Health, Social Services and Children, Welsh Government
Parliamentary and Political Service
The Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury CBE - Member, House of Lords (Independent chair)
Independent members:
Dr Sue Griffiths - Managing Director, Social Development Direct
The Rt Hon The Lord Haselhurst
Dame Denise Platt DBE – lately Member, General Medical Council and Solicitors Regulation Authority
2 x Vacancy
Official members:
The Rt Hon Simon Hart MP - Government Chief Whip
The Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP - Opposition Chief Whip
Public Service
1 x vacancy (Independent Chair)
Independent members:
Emir Feisal JP, Trustee, the Henry Smith Charity
Alistair Finlay OBE, Faculty Director of Operations, Queen’s University Belfast
Riaz Ravat BEM DL - Deputy Director, St Philip’s Centre
The Venerable Canon David Stanton - Archdeacon and Canon of Westminster Abbey
Official Members:
Susan Acland-Hood – Permanent Secretary, Department for Education
Sir Matthew Rycroft KCMG CBE – Permanent Secretary, Home Office
Sarah Healey CB – Permanent Secretary, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Antonia Romeo - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
Dr Andrew Goodall CBE – Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government
Science, Technology and Research
Stephen Kelly - Chair, Tech Nation (independent chair)
Independent members:
Professor Sir Keith Burnett
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | CABINET OFFICE
Follow these steps to apply for a .gov.uk domain name.
How to apply
Applying to use a .gov.uk domain involves someone in your organisation acting as the registrar who will apply for the domain with the help of a .gov.uk Approved Registrar.
For large organisations, the registrant will usually be a civil servant who is part of the domain management team. For smaller organisations like parish councils, the registrant will usually be the clerk or similar.
A .gov.uk Approved Registrar will help you fill out the application and get your .gov.uk domain registered so you can use it.
Registrars are free to set their own prices for providing the registration and DNS services of .gov.uk domains, but must itemise separately and explicitly for services they provide. See pricing of the .gov.uk domains for more information.
2: Submit an application
Ask your registrar to apply for the .gov.uk domain name. You must provide the .gov.uk Approved Registrar with:
written permission from your organisation showing you can apply for the domain name
an up to date role-based email address like ‘domainmanagement@[your-organisation].gov.uk’ if possible and a phone number
If you cannot provide a role-based public sector email address at the time of application, then it is acceptable to use your registrar’s email address at the time of application. However, you must update this contact to a role-based email once your domain is active and your email is set up. You can use a role-based email like ‘domains@yourorganisations.gov.uk’, ‘clerk@yourparishcouncil.gov.uk’ or similar.
3: The Domains Team will confirm your identity
The .gov.uk Approved Registrar will submit your application to the Domains Team for review. We will contact you to confirm your identity before reviewing your .gov.uk domain name application.
4: The Domains Team will review your application
The Domains Team will approve or reject your application within 5 working days. If your application needs reviewing by the Naming and Approvals Committee, this may take longer and we will contact you to let you know timeframes and outcomes.
The Domains Team may refer any .gov.uk domain name application to the Naming and Approvals Committee for a final decision.
Changed 'Domain Name Administrator' to 'Registrant' to align with standard industry terminology.
Clarified that it is still acceptable to use a registrar's email address when you apply for a domain, if you organisation does not have a role-based email at the time of application.
Clarified introduction to make it clear the domain name administrator starts the application process by finding a registrar. Also updated the pricing of .gov.uk domains
The Domain Management team has now moved to the Central Digital and Data Office. This update removes any references to the Government Digital Service (GDS).
Adding in information about baseline costs of an application
First published.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | CABINET OFFICE
PPN 01/24 introduces an optional standard carbon reduction contract schedule that can be included in Government contracts.
The Carbon Reduction Schedule provides standard T&Cs to support contract specific decarbonisation objectives to be set and delivered, and provides a framework to monitor and assess the Supplier’s decarbonisation performance. These include contract specific GHG emissions reporting, setting supplier GHG emissions reduction targets and monitoring and reducing GHG emissions throughout the life of the contract though a supplier GHG emissions Reduction Plan.
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | COMPETITION MARKETS AUTHORITY
The CMA is seeking views from interested stakeholders for its reviews of three merger remedies and one market investigation Order.
The CMA has made provisional decisions that, due to relevant changes in circumstances, the following CMA remedies are no longer appropriate and should be released/revoked:
The CMA consulted on changes in circumstance and consequent potential outcomes in its launch decision consultation, which ran from 21 November 2023 to 12 December 2023.
We are keen to receive relevant evidence from interested parties to help us reach final decisions on these reviews.
Respondents should provide their views supported with relevant evidence where possible, in writing to the CMA at the address below by 5pm on Monday 12 December 2023. We will then consider the views and evidence received before reaching final decisions.
Further information on this review can be found on our case page.
The CMA requests that all submissions be accompanied by a non-confidential version which the respondent would be willing to have published on the CMA website when we publish our provisional decision.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Original consultation
Summary
The CMA is seeking views from interested stakeholders for its reviews of three merger remedies and one market investigation Order.
This consultation ran from to
Consultation description
The CMA has decided to conduct reviews of the following CMA remedies:
The CMA consulted on whether to launch reviews of a number of remedies in its portfolio in an?invitation to comment published on 30 January 2023, which closed on 17 February 2023.
The purpose of these reviews is to determine whether, as a result of any change in circumstance, any of the remedies listed above are no longer appropriate and need to be varied, superseded or released.
We are keen to receive relevant evidence from interested parties to help us reach a decision on whether there has been a relevant change in circumstances which means that the remedies listed abov
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | COMPETITION MARKETS AUTHORITY
The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has published its report providing advice to Belfast City Council (BCC) concerning its proposed subsidy for the Gobbins Phase 2 Project.
html>
Referral of the proposed subsidy for the Gobbins Phase 2 Project by Belfast City Council - GOV.UK
Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | COMPETITION MARKETS AUTHORITY
The CMA is investigating the completed acquisition by Cérélia Group Holding SAS (either directly or indirectly) of certain assets relating to the UK and Ireland dough business (Jus-Rol) of General Mills, Inc.
html>
Cérélia / Jus-Rol merger inquiry - GOV.UK
Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | COMPETITION MARKETS AUTHORITY
The CMA issued directions to Lloyds Banking Group to ensure compliance with the Payment Protection Insurance Market Investigation Order 2011.
Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) breached the Order in the following ways:
It failed to send Annual Reviews to its customers who held PPI with Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank and who were entitled to receive such statements for the period between 2012 to July 2018.
It sent information to customers who hold PPI on their TSB credit card accounts which showed that their PPI premiums were less than what was actually charged.
Lloyds Directions revoked
18 March 2024: The CMA today has revoked the Directions given to Lloyds Banking Group plc on confirmation that it had completed all the actions in the Directions, and that it will notify the CMA of any further breaches within 14 days of identification.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 18 March to 28 April 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 11 March to 21 April 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 11 March to 21 April 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 4 March to 14 April 2024.
'Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 26 February to 7 April 2024' updated.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 19 February to 31 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 12 February to 24 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 5 February to 17 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 29 January to 10 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 22 January to 3 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 22 January to 3 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 22 January to 3 March 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 15 January to 25 February 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 15 January to 25 February 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 8 January to 18 February 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 1 January to 11 February 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 18 December 2023 to 4 February 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 11 December 2023 to 21 January 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 4 December 2023 to 14 January 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 27 November 2023 to 7 January 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 27 November 2023 to 7 January 2024.
Updated Dartmoor six-week firing notice: 20 November to 31 December 2023.
Published 15 November 2012 Last updated 18 March 2024 + show all updates
Added Tregantle firing times 8 to 21 April 2024.
Added Tregantle firing times 25 March to 7 April 2024.
Updated Tregantle firing times 18 to 24 March 2024.
Added Tregantle firing times 11 to 24 March 2024.
Added Tregantle firing times 26 February to 10 March 2024.
Added Tregantle firing times 12 to 25 February 2024.
Added 'Tregantle firing times 29 January to 4 February 2024' and 'Tregantle firing times 5 to 11 February 2024'.
Added Tregantle firing times 25 December 2023 to 28 January 2024
Added Tregantle firing times 11 to 24 December 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 27 November to 10 December 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 13 to 26 November 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 30 October to 12 November 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 16 to 29 October 2023.
Added: Tregantle firing times 2 to 15 October 2023.
Added: Tregantle firing times 18 September to 1 October 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 4 to 17 September 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 21 August to 3 September 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 7 to 20 August 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 24 July to 6 August 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 10 to 23 July 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 26 June to 9 July 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 12 to 25 June 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 29 May to 11 June 2023.
Added Tregantle firing times 15 to 28 May 2023.
'Tregantle firing times 1 to 14 May 2023' added.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE MEDIA SPORT
Historic legislation to reform the governance of men's elite football in England and put fans back at the heart of the game has been introduced in Parliament today.
‘Independent Football Regulator’ to be enshrined in law that will give fans a greater voice in the running of their clubs
Regulator will promote financial sustainability and will have the ability to fine clubs up to 10% of turnover for non-compliance
Breakaway closed-shop competitions such as the European Super League to be blocked under new legislation
Regulator will implement strengthened owners’ and directors’ tests and be equipped with backstop powers to impose a ‘new deal’ on financial distributions
The Bill comes at a critical juncture for English football, following the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high profile cases of clubs being financially mismanaged or collapsing entirely.
The legislation being introduced today goes further than the Government’s manifesto commitment, establishing the new ‘Independent Football Regulator’ (IFR) as a standalone body - independent of both Government and the football authorities.
The body will be equipped with robust powers revolving around three core objectives: to improve financial sustainability of clubs, ensure financial resilience across the leagues, and to safeguard the heritage of English football.
Under the Football Governance Bill, new owners and directors will face stronger tests to stop clubs falling into the wrong hands, and face the possibility of being removed and struck off from owning football clubs if they are found to be unsuitable.
The Bill also includes new backstop powers around financial distributions between the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL) and National League. These powers mean that if the leagues fail to agree on a new deal on financial distributions, then the backstop can be triggered to ensure a settlement is reached.
For the first time, clubs from the National League (Step One in the football pyramid) all the way to the Premier League will be licensed to compete in men’s elite football competitions in England. The proposed licensing regime will be proportionate to any problems, size and circumstances and involve a system of provisional and full licences, to give clubs time to transition.
It follows a number of issues in recent years including financial mismanagement, breakaway plans for the European Super League, and changes to club names, badges and colours against the wishes of fans.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
Football has long been one of our greatest sources of national pride. Up and down the country, it brings people together in celebration or commiseration.
But for too long some clubs have been abused by unscrupulous owners who get away with financial mismanagement, which at worst can lead to complete collapse – as we saw in the upsetting cases of Bury and Macclesfield Town.
This Bill is a historic moment for football fans – it will make sure their voices are front and centre, prevent a breakaway league, protect the financial sustainability of clubs, and protect the heritage of our clubs big and small.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:
Football is nothing without its fans. We are determined to put them back at the heart of the game, and ensure clubs as vital community assets continue to thrive.
The new Independent Regulator of Football will set the game on a sustainable footing, strengthening clubs and the entire football pyramid for generations.
All clubs will be subject to new baseline requirements enshrined in legislation irrespective of licence status, such as protections against breakaway competitions and stadium relocations.
The provisional licence will require all clubs to meet some mandatory conditions as standard, including basic requirements on fan engagement, corporate governance and financial reporting.
The regulator will then apply additional bespoke licence conditions on clubs, as necessary, to ensure they meet the necessary standards for a full licence across three key areas: financial resources, non-financial resources (such as relevant systems, policies and personnel), and fan engagement.
Fan engagement is a central tenet of the Football Governance Bill and will ensure fans are put back at the heart of the game. As part of the licence, clubs will be required to consult their fans on key off-field decisions, such as club heritage and the club’s strategic direction.
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:
Football clubs are vital community assets and for far too long some fans have been taken for granted, and clubs lost to unscrupulous owners.
Today’s Bill will pave the way for the creation of an Independent Football Regulator, ushering in greater protections to help clubs and their fans thrive over the long term.
Chair of the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance Tracey Crouch CBE MP said:
Football fans can begin to breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that the next steps towards protecting the long term sustainability of the pyramid have now been taken.
A significant amount of work has gone into this piece of legislation which will establish a truly independent force in football that will place fans and good governance at its heart.
Chief Executive of the Football Supporters Association Kevin Miles said:
The FSA warmly welcomes the tabling of the Football Governance Bill arising from the 2021 Fan Led Review, and particularly its central proposal to introduce statutory independent regulation of the game.
The regulator provides a means to intervene and stop clubs being run into the ground, protect the heritage of clubs, give supporters a much bigger voice in the running of the game, and prevent any chance of domestic clubs joining a breakaway European Super League.
The regulator must be given the power to impose a financial settlement in the interests of the sustainability of the game as a whole. It is far too important to be left to the squabbling between the vested interests of the richest club owners.
In addition, today’s Football Governance Bill sets out further detail on how the IFR:
will produce a periodic State of the Game report setting out an evidence-based analysis of any issues around financial sustainability and systemic resilience in English football.
will assess all new owners and directors and be able to disqualify owners/officers, in the case of persistent and wilful non-compliance.
will require clubs to meet licence conditions on fan engagement, where guidance for clubs will set out areas requiring fan consultation.
will not be overly-interventionist and will adopt an advocacy first approach, but backed up by a broad suite of powers to investigate suspected non-compliance, compel information, and enforce if necessary.
will have no input in on-field decisions and will act in a way that minimises any impact on sporting competitions.
The Football Governance Bill is the result of the Government’s commitment to deliver a fan-led review of football governance. Triggered after the attempted breakaway European Super League competition, the review sought to examine the industry in detail following the failure of at least 60 professional football clubs since the advent of the Premier League in 1992.
The key recommendation from the review chaired by Tracey Crouch MP was the introduction of an independent regulator of elite men’s football in England.
In parallel with the Bill’s introduction, the Government has today confirmed plans to stand up a shadow regulator that will be operational as the IFR is formally set up.
Decisions will be taken on the location of the IFR, the Chair of the regulator and other board members in the weeks and months ahead as the bill makes its passage through Parliament. This follows the appointment of the interim chief operating officer Martyn Henderson OBE in January, who will work with a team on the frameworks, policies and guidance required for the formation of the regulator.
English football remains a global success story and the Premier League is the envy of sporting competitions around the world. The Government remains fully behind its continued success.
Despite this success, the combined net debt of clubs in the Premier League and Championship had reached £5.9 billion by the end of the 2020/21 season. In the same season, the Championship reported a wage-to-revenue ratio average of 125 percent clearly demonstrating clubs were stretching themselves far beyond their means.
While our national game remains one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports, with clubs and leagues around the world modelling themselves on its success, the Government is today taking the necessary and targeted steps to ensure that continues for generations through the introduction of the independent football regulator.
How awarding organisations can ensure the transfer of their level 4 to 6 qualifications funded in Advanced Learner Loans to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
In March 2023, we published our response to the consultation on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The LLE will be introduced from 2025, providing individuals with a lifelong learning entitlement to the equivalent of four years of post-18 education to use over their working lives to train, retrain and upskill.
This guidance sets out the principles and processes we will use to deliver this transfer. It includes guidance on how awarding organisations can ensure the transfer of their qualifications funded in Advanced Learner Loans in 5 steps.
It relates to transferring level 4 to 6 qualifications from Advanced Learner Loans to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
Level 3 qualifications are out of scope of this process.
Updated 'Step 5: Modular Funding Approval' section in 'How to transfer qualifications funded in Advanced Learner Loans'.
The section 'Step 4: Advanced Learner Loans moratorium at levels 4 to 6' was updated in 'How to transfer qualifications funded in Advanced Learner Loans'.
‘Qualifications with zero enrolments funded in Advanced Learner Loans for removal of Advanced Learner Loans funding approval from 1 August 2025’ has been updated to show only those qualifications that will have advanced learner loans funding approval removed from 1 August 2025.
Statutory guidance sets out what schools and local authorities must do to comply with the law. You should follow the guidance unless you have a very good reason not to.
Updated 'School teachers’ pay and conditions document 2023 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions (valid from 1 September 2023)' to include annex 5 which lists administrative that teachers should not ordinarily be expected to do.
Added 'School teachers’ pay and conditions document 2023 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions'.
Added ‘Modification of school teachers’ pay and conditions document 2022’ which allows schools to take account of the additional bank holiday on 8 May 2023 to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Added 'School teachers’ pay and conditions document 2022 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions'.
Added 'School teachers’ pay and conditions document 2021 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions'.
Added ‘Modification of School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document 2020’ which allows schools to provide an additional optional inset (in service training) day in the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
Updated with 'School teachers' pay and conditions document 2020 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions (valid from 1 September 2020)'.
Added 'School teachers' pay and conditions document 2019 and guidance on school teachers’ pay and conditions (valid from 1 September 2019)'.
Added the Welsh version of the 'School teachers' pay and conditions document 2018', valid from 1 September 2018.
Added the statutory guidance for 2018.
Added the Welsh version of 'School teachers' pay and conditions document 2017 and guidance on school teachers' pay and conditions' that is valid from 1 September 2017.
First published.
Related content
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Dispensation request from Transport for Wales Rail Limited for conversion of 6 Class 153 units to active travel vehicles.
Seeks views on Transport for Wales Rail Limited’s request for dispensation against the Persons with Reduced Mobility National Technical Specification Notice (PRM NTSN) in respect of 6 Class 153 units converted to active travel vehicles.
Rail Vehicle Accessibility Rail Passenger Services Department for Transport 2nd Floor, Great Minster House 33 Horseferry Road London SW1P 4DR
<
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Annual statistics on local buses in Great Britain for the year ending March 2023.
Revision
Finalised data on government support for buses was not available when these statistics were originally published (30 November 2023). The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have since published that data so the following have been revised to include this newly available data:
There is more than one source available for figures on concessionary travel spending. In the concessionary travel statistics, the expenditure figures are based on the Concessionary Travel survey.
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing bus statistics with any comments about how we meet these standards.
Operating costs
Ahead of the year ending March 2023 publication an inconsistency was identified in the way respondents were reporting total operating costs on local bus services (question 12). Some operators were reporting operating costs before the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) has been deducted and others were reporting them after BSOG had been deducted. The guidance states that these figures should be reported before BSOG has been deducted. This means that there has been inconsistency with this data historically, and it has typically been underreported as some operators have deducted their BSOG rebate from costs.
Additional work has been undertaken in the year ending March 2023 publication to highlight the guidance to operators and check during the validation process if they are reporting in line with the guidance, although we cannot be 100% certain all figures have been supplied as requested. This means the year ending March 2023 data is not directly comparable with earlier years. We will continue to make this a focus of our data validation process.
Local bus statistics in Great Britain, including passengers, mileage, and vehicle fleet, for the year ending March 2023.
The summary relates only to England to match the coverage of Department for Transport bus policy, but the tables also cover Scotland and Wales.
In the year ending March 2023, the number of bus passenger journeys:
increased by 19.3% in England
increased by 19.6% in London
increased by 19.0% in England outside of London
In the year ending March 2023, bus service mileage:
decreased by 4.6% in England
decreased by 3.4% in London
decreased by 5.1% in England outside of London
This publication covers the year to 31 March 2023, which is the first time since the coronavirus (COVID-19) where restrictions and guidelines were not in place.
To hear more about DfT statistical publications as they are released, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at DfTstats.
Published 30 November 2023 Last updated 19 March 2024 + show all updates
Update to annual bus statistics, year ending March 2023, to include financial data.
First published.
Related content
TUESDAY, 19 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Local bus fares statistics in Great Britain for October to December 2023.
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing bus statistics with any comments about how we meet these standards.
Statistics on local bus fares in Great Britain.
The local bus fares index decreased by 6.2% in England outside London between December 2022 and December 2023. This likely reflects the ongoing influence of the £2 fare cap that came into effect in England outside London from January 2023. Some metropolitan areas introduced their own fare caps in the second half of 2022, so the small increase here reflects changes to other fare products (such as season tickets).
For other areas, the local bus fares index change was:
6.0% increase in London
0.3% increase in metropolitan areas
11.2% decrease in non-metropolitan areas
9.8% increase in Scotland
8.1% increase in Wales
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 4.0% over the same 12-month period.
Data and statistics about the local bus sector in Great Britain.
A full list of tables can be found in the table index.
Revision
Finalised data on government support for buses was not available when these statistics were originally published (30 November 2023). The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have since published that data so the following tables have been revised to include this newly available data:
BUS04i and BUS04ii, covering costs, fares and revenue
This spreadsheet includes breakdowns by country, region, metropolitan area status, urban-rural classification and Local Authority. It also includes data per head of population, and concessionary journeys.
These spreadsheets include breakdowns by country, region, metropolitan area status, urban-rural classification and Local Authority, as well as by service type. Vehicle distance travelled is a measure of levels of service provision.
These spreadsheets include breakdowns by country and metropolitan area status, as well as revenue and costs per passenger journey and vehicle mile/kilometre.
Government support for the bus industry and concessionary travel (England) (BUS05)
These spreadsheets contain data on funding support provided by central and local government to the bus sector, including for concessionary travel and subsidised (tendered) services.
This spreadsheet includes number of buses operated, percentage of buses fitted with various accessibility features and type of equipment, as well as the fuel type, emissions standards, and age of the bus fleet in operation.
These spreadsheets include breakdowns by metropolitan area status and travel concession authority in England. They include metrics on concessionary passes and journeys, expenditure and reimbursement, as well as details on policies for the upcoming year.
Extra support for local councils aims to deliver life-saving improvements on high risk roads in England.
£38.3 million government investment to improve road safety on 17 of the country’s most high risk roads
from Devon to Durham, road users across England will now benefit from safety improvements on 99 roads
part of the £185.8 million investment to prevent over 2,600 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years
Drivers across England will benefit from a further £38.3 million investment into improving the safety of 17 of the most high risk roads in England, the Department for Transport has announced today (19 March 2024).
The £38.3 million will deliver improvements on 17 roads and comes on top of the £147.5 million already invested to deliver life-saving improvements on 82 high risk roads across England. Over a 20-year period, this funding will see significant reductions in fatal and serious injuries, up to as much as a 30.8% reduction on some roads. Improvements will include:
designing new junctions and roundabouts
improving signage and road markings
new road surfacing and landscape management
improved pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes
This round of funding is expected to save 385 lives over the next 20 years, as well as reduce congestion, improve journey times and lower emissions.
The government is on the side of drivers and is delivering a wide range of improvements across all roads, through our £24 billion Roads Investment Strategy, our 30-point Plan for Drivers and the biggest ever increase in funding for local road improvements thanks to £8.3 billion of reallocated High Speed 2 (HS2) funding.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:
Britain’s roads are some of the safest in the world, but we are always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe.
As part of the government’s plan to improve roads across the country, we’re providing an extra £38 million so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy.
According to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), it is estimated that all tranches of the Safer Road Fund will save nearly 2,600 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years.
Once the whole life costs are factored in for the schemes, the overall benefit cost ratio of the investment is estimated at 5:3, meaning for every £1 invested, the societal benefit would be £5.30.
Dr Suzy Charman, Executive Director of RSF, said:
The Safer Roads Fund is a transformational initiative for road safety and for the local authorities receiving funds. It makes it possible for road safety teams across the country to proactively address risk of death and serious injury for all road users on these routes.
Systematic changes have already had a big impact on road death and serious injury, for example, seat belts and airbags protect lives when crashes happen. In the same way, we can design roads so that when crashes happen people can walk away – by clearing or protecting roadsides, putting in cross hatching to add space between vehicles, providing safer junctions like roundabouts or adding signalisation and/or turning pockets, and including facilities for walking and cycling.
We congratulate the Department for Transport on this lifesaving initiative and thank ministers for their commitment to safer roads.
Steve Gooding, Director, RAC Foundation, said:
The Safer Roads Fund is the hugely welcome gift that keeps on giving because today’s announcement means another 120 miles of safer road improvements will be delivered to the benefit of users. Such incremental improvements are key to achieving our collective aim for a safer road network as a whole.
It also follows the actions government has already taken to improve road safety, including:
updating the Highway Code to introduce a hierarchy of road users, which places road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy
THINK! campaigns continuing to target the most at-risk groups, aiming to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of England and Wales
Project RADAR – a systematic investigation creating new opportunities to combine and compare data across government departments, arms-length bodies and policing
launching the largest real-world randomised controlled trial of interventions to improve the safety of learners and newly qualified drivers (Driver 2020)
The 17 roads receiving funding from the Safer Roads Fund round 3, 2023 to 2024, tranche are:
Road
Local authority
Funding
A579
Bolton Council
£1,425,000
A676
Bolton Council
£1,025,000
A432
Bristol Council
£2,275,000
A361
Devon County Council
£5,040,000
A690
Durham County Council
£2,940,000
A19
Doncaster City Council
£2,960,000
A19
North Yorkshire County Council
£2,960,000
A113
Essex County Council
£3,600,000
A6
Lancashire County Council
£4,540,000
A6
North Northamptonshire County Council
£2,200,000
A60
Nottingham City Council
£2,225,000
A6200
Nottingham City Council
£600,000
A420
Oxfordshire County Council
£2,225,000
A5191
Shropshire Council
£650,000
A2101
East Sussex County Council
£875,000
A583
Lancashire County Council
£1,497,180
A41
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
£1,265,000
Roads media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Campaign highlights how a simple CLICK can save lives.
THINK! Launches CLICK, the first new seat belt campaign for 13 years
aimed at young men, it will highlight how a simple click can save lives
partners include various county football associations, which will promote belting up on matchday
A new campaign to remind young men to CLICK their seat belt in a bid to shift attitudes and save lives on roads across England and Wales has launched today (18 March 2024).
Every week, 4 young people aged 17 to 29 are either killed or seriously injured on our roads when not wearing a seat belt, with young men more likely to not wear one, especially on short or well-known journeys. In 2022, 30% of fatalities among 17- to 29-year-olds were unbelted.
To help combat this, alongside targeted advertising on roadside posters, radio and social media, CLICK will collaborate with several partners, including various county football associations and local clubs to promote ‘belting up’ when travelling to matchdays to keep themselves and their teammates safe. Taxi and private hire vehicle companies, including Uber, are also supporting the campaign and looking to introduce direct reminders to passengers to wear their seat belt when making journeys in cabs.
Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:
We know how important wearing a seat belt is, reducing the risk of death for drivers in a collision by 50%.
This campaign is part of the government’s plan to make our roads even safer and aims to make clicking in a seat belt second nature to young men, who currently run the highest risk of death or serious injury – reminding them that a simple CLICK can save lives.
Backed by £1.2 million of funding, this campaign – the first seat belt specific campaign since 2011 – pulls on relatable, personal moments between friends to drive home the consequences of not wearing a seat belt. It acts as a reminder that something as simple as clicking your seat belt could save your life and that of your friends.
RAC road safety spokesman, Rod Dennis, said:
To most people, it’s second nature to wear a seat belt, but every time someone forgets to click theirs into place, they’re putting themselves and other passengers at risk.
Young male drivers are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed than any other age group because they haven’t buckled up. For this reason, we’re in full support of THINK!’s ‘CLICK’ campaign urging all car occupants to wear their belts in transit, but especially young male audiences for whom this message could literally save lives.
The campaign will also serve as a reminder of the importance of wearing a seat belt when travelling on a minibus, bus or coach, with drivers expected to clearly signpost rules and individual responsibilities when it comes to belting up, and with passengers over 14 expected to take responsibility for themselves and ensure they are buckled up.
Roads media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Alex Hynes has been appointed as Director General for rail services.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Hynes as Director General, Rail Services.
Alex will play a crucial role as the government drives forward with its plans to reform the railways so they deliver better outcomes for passengers by uniting the oversight of track and train while leveraging private sector innovation and expertise under Great British Railways (GBR).
Alex, who will begin a 2-year secondment from Network Rail in April 2024, has led Scotland’s Railway, overseeing Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail, since 2017. Prior to that role, following an extensive career in the industry, he served as Managing Director of Northern when it was in the private sector, delivering their best ever customer satisfaction scores and record levels of employee engagement.
As Alex joins DfT, Interim Director General Anit Chandarana will return to Network Rail as planned following the conclusion of his secondment.
DfT Permanent Secretary, Bernadette Kelly, said:
Bringing a wealth of experience to this role, Alex is uniquely equipped to lead our plan to help deliver better outcomes for passengers in the years ahead, working in close partnership with industry.
I would like to thank Anit for his contribution during his time at DfT, where he has been a hugely collaborative colleague and we look forward to continuing to work with him on his return to Network Rail.
Incoming Director General, Rail Services, Alex Hynes, said:
Our railways play a vital role connecting people right across the country. I look forward to working closely with DfT colleagues to help industry deliver the services that passengers rightly expect, while laying the track for a simpler, more effective rail system.
The Rail Infrastructure and Services Group will bring together most of the existing Passenger Services directorate and Rail Infrastructure Group – helping reflect wider plans to bring the oversight of track and train together under GBR, and coming as part of a wider reorganisation in DfT to ensure agility and focus on the challenges facing transport today.
A new Major Rail Projects Group will bring together the existing High Speed Rail Group and Northern Powerhouse Rail, while rail strategy, policy and reform will join with wider public transport work (including buses and devolution) in a new Public Transport and Local Group. Elsewhere, work on roads, motoring and road freight – as well as road transport decarbonisation and active travel – will be brought together in a new Road Transport Group.
Rail media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Lessons learned from Department for Transport and Transport for London’s joint sponsorship of the Crossrail project.
This report shares the lessons learned from the Department for Transport and Transport for London’s joint sponsorship of the Crossrail project.
It identifies 9 lessons for the benefit of project delivery professionals working on government major projects in rail, the wider transport industry and other sectors.
The report also:
tests the transfer of the learning from Crossrail to other major projects
The report was commissioned by the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport and the Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Drone technology could transform our skies and boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.
flying taxis and routine emergency service drones should be a reality by 2028
new action plan will make sure regulation and infrastructure is in place to support exciting greener, quieter aviation technologies
comes as Aviation and Technology Minister visits pioneering UK company Vertical Aerospace in Bristol to see technology first-hand
Flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical 999 care deliveries could all be a reality by 2030 thanks to the government and industry’s joint Future of Flight action plan, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) today (18 March 2024).
Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, the plan details how technology once confined to the realm of sci-fi could transform our skies, with studies estimating drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.
It details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030 – transforming how people and goods are transported.
Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said:?
Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality.
From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation – improving people’s lives and boosting the economy.
The plan was unveiled on the same day the minister is due to visit Vertical Aerospace in Bristol – one of the UK companies making flying taxis and at the cutting edge of innovation in aviation.
These greener, quieter flying taxis are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process and have been made possible thanks to rapid advances in battery technology, meaning they are light enough to stay in the air and powerful enough to cover the distances needed.
Some of the other actions set out in the plan include:
allowing drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft)
developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
engaging communities and local authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies
First imagined in the Flightpath to the Future in 2022, this joint plan between industry and government?sets out the strategic direction of the sector over the next 5 years, striking a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions.
The benefits of this new technology are already being seen in the UK. West Midlands Police uses drones to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour. In July 2023, a drone team was deployed, successfully identifying 2 offenders and another suspect at a speed and distance that would have taken ground officers hours to track down.
Drones are also helping frontline NHS staff save lives. For 6 months between October 2022 and March 2023, the UK drone service provider Skyfarer partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Medical Logistics UK to test drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites. In one case, drones reliably helped cut delivery times of surgical implants between Coventry and Rugby hospitals from up to an hour to just 18 minutes – a 70% decrease.
The Future of Flight action plan contains measures to make drone applications and assessments easier by creating new and simple digital platforms that operators can use – ensuring companies and public services are no longer shackled by red tape and get drones up and flying quicker.
It will also enable the development of vertiports – mini-airports for drones and electric aircraft that take off vertically – by developing certification standards and reviewing the use of existing infrastructure to deliver at speed, boost safety and security and put the passenger first.
Industry partners will also undertake multiple industry-leading trials to explore new ways to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight and demonstrate electric aircraft – keeping accidents to a minimum and making the most of technological advances. This could include finding and repairing faults quicker on our railways with fewer delays and cancellations for train passengers, providing new connections across the UK and using technology to help our emergency services.
The Future of Flight action plan comes ahead of the fifth meeting of the Future of Flight Industry Group, a joint force established in February 2023 for government and industry leaders to tackle the biggest challenges facing the sector and set ambitious goals as emerging aviation technologies become more commonplace.
Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports and?Chairman of the Future of Flight Industry Group, said:
The UK is home to one of the world’s most important aerospace industries and is in an ideal position to be a pioneer in the next era of aviation. The government and industry have a joint commitment to support the development, industrialisation and introduction of new aviation technologies. Continued collaboration will ensure that we capitalise on the significant domestic and international market opportunities presented by the future of flight.
By supporting research and development in electric aircraft and drones, and with the help of key partners like the CAA, the action plan aims to usher in a new era of eco-friendly aviation and boost the economy with new investments, ensuring the UK captures the full potential of this emerging global industry as a force for good and a driver of growth.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Head of Future Safety and Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
Aviation stands on the cusp of its next, potentially biggest, revolution since the invention of the jet engine. Drones, eVTOL and other different vehicles have the potential to change transportation options forever.
We welcome the firm direction the government’s Future of Flight action plan provides for the industry as it continues to innovate. Our role in this bright future of aviation will be enabling technological advances and providing regulatory support while ensuring that all forms of new aviation technology enjoy the same high safety standards as traditional aviation.
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of UK drone trade association ARPAS-UK, said:
Drones help professional teams capture data from the sky in a safer, cheaper, smarter and greener way and, in the future, they will help transport cargo and people. ARPAS-UK and the industry are looking forward to actively and collectively implementing the actions in the plan so that we can accelerate the safe use of drones by end-user industries. We thank the DfT, CAA and all involved parties for making it happen.
Not only is the Future of Flight action plan a testament to the government’s commitment to advancing aviation technologies, but it gives industry the confidence to continue breaking barriers in the sector. Vertical Aerospace, whose pioneering innovation in electric vertical take-off aircraft is creating a cleaner, quieter way to travel, is just one of several UK-based manufacturers that will benefit from the plan.
?Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said:?
The UK has a long heritage in aerospace and the publication of this pl
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Dedicated chargepoint funding will support people in making the switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles.
44 more councils across England to benefit from funding to boost chargepoint rollout
funding forms part of £381 million dedicated fund to roll out chargepoints throughout the country
EV chargepoint grant expanded to those without a driveway as part of government’s Plan for Drivers
comes as over 56,000 public chargepoints have now been installed across the UK – up 47% from this time last year
Charging electric vehicles is set to get even easier thanks to hundreds of millions of funding made available for local authorities, homeowners and renters today (18 March 2024).
The government continues to deliver its £381 million Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) fund to councils, which can choose where is best to install chargepoints in their local area. Following the approval of the first five local authority applications in February, payments to 44 additional councils from Torbay to Tees Valley, worth over £185 million, have now been approved to help residents charge their vehicles.
The funding will support the delivery of thousands of chargepoints across England, helping more drivers get from A to B easily and supporting families in making the switch. Additionally, the local authorities that have already been allocated to the second round of LEVI funding will be able to apply to the fund from 2 April 2024, following those who have received funding in the first round and in a further boost to the chargepoint rollout.
Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:
This government has a plan to help speed up the installation of EV chargepoints, which we’re getting on and delivering.
This dedicated funding to local councils is part of our plan to ensure people can switch from a petrol or diesel car to an EV when they choose to do so.
Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said:
This funding will make it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles.
By bolstering our public charging network, we are not only making electric vehicles more accessible, but also driving the transition towards a cleaner, greener future.
To further support electric vehicle (EV) drivers and families looking to switch to electric, the government is ensuring households without driveways or dedicated parking spaces can access the electric vehicle chargepoint grant. Delivering on our Plan for Drivers commitment to make EVs a more practical option, the £350 grant will be widened to those who own or rent and have access to adequate street parking.
The funding will drive down the cost of EV ownership by providing up to 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing a chargepoint, and applicants must also have permission from their council to install a cross-pavement charging solution. Applications can be made online.
To help councils deliver EV infrastructure, the government-funded electric vehicle infrastructure training course will launch in full this week following a successful trial. The course is open to all local authorities and will cover key topics from technology to procurement. LEVI funding has already helped to place almost 150 dedicated EV officers in councils to support chargepoint planning and delivery.
Ensuring collaboration between government and industry, today also marks the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum. The forum, chaired by ministers and AA President, Edmund King, will discuss how best to tackle barriers and accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure. Wider membership will be set out in due course.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said:
AA surveys show that one of the main reasons why many drivers are hesitant towards switching to EVs is the perception that there are not enough charging points. To give confidence to drivers now and for the future, we need to overcome these barriers, which will help unlock cleaner, greener motoring for all. Extending grants to those without off-street parking is a step in the right direction.
I’m proud to be co-chairing the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Forum as I’m committed to helping consumers transition to zero emission vehicles and an efficient, affordable, accessible charging infrastructure is key to that. I’m also confident that the UK’s brilliant charging and automotive industry can deliver and play a key part in the UK’s net zero ambitions.
More and more drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles, with fully electric vehicles accounting for over 16% of the new UK car market in 2023, according to industry statistics. Government and industry are working to install chargepoints at speed, with 56,983 public chargepoints now installed across the UK – a 47% increase compared to this time last year.
Today’s announcement comes following the introduction of the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate into law earlier this year, which is the most ambitious regulatory framework for the switch to electric vehicles of any country in the world. The ZEV mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, and 100% by 2035, providing certainty to both consumers and industry while helping to safeguard skilled UK jobs in the car industry.
Aviation, Europe and technology media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
A joint strategy for the industrialisation of emerging aviation technologies in the UK.
This Future of Flight action plan sets out:
a shared vision for 2030 to support the UK future of flight industry to become a sustainable and thriving ecosystem
the 5 strategic outcomes to achieve this vision: including achieving routine operations beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight (BVLOS) for drones by 2027 and delivering initial operations carrying passengers and cargo for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) by 2028
specific actions for delivery by industry and government, including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
The plan was co-designed by the aviation industry and government through the Future of Flight Industry Group. It provides a balanced approach to the growth of the future of flight industry so that it benefits the UK economy, society and environment while maintaining high standards for aviation safety and security.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
A joint strategy for the industrialisation of emerging aviation technologies in the UK.
This Future of Flight action plan sets out:
a shared vision for 2030 to support the UK future of flight industry to become a sustainable and thriving ecosystem
the 5 strategic outcomes to achieve this vision: including achieving routine operations beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight (BVLOS) for drones by 2027 and delivering initial operations carrying passengers and cargo for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) by 2028
specific actions for delivery by industry and government, including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
The plan was co-designed by the aviation industry and government through the Future of Flight Industry Group. It provides a balanced approach to the growth of the future of flight industry so that it benefits the UK economy, society and environment while maintaining high standards for aviation safety and security.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
MONDAY, 18 MARCH 2024 | DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Crackdown on unfair enforcement and blanket 20mph limits will improve drivers’ lives, reduce congestion and make journeys smoother.
In October 2023, this government announced the Plan for Drivers, setting out 30 measures that improve the experience of driving through smoother journeys: stopping unfair enforcement, easier parking, cracking down on inconsiderate driving and helping the transition to zero emission driving.
We continue to implement these measures, taking action to ensure drivers are treated fairly. Today, we are publishing the latest series of guidance, consultation and research findings, which will help motorists and other road users to benefit from smoother journeys and reduced congestion, with local people getting a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them, thanks to:
new guidance on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – following the recent LTN review, this sets out the requirements on local authorities, including particularly that, via engagement and consultations, an authority should be confident that a scheme is capable of carrying the support of a majority of the community before introducing it
20mph speed limit guidance – strengthened guidance restricting 20mph limits to where they are sensible and appropriate, not on all roads indiscriminately, and with safety and local support at the heart of the decision. Other factors we would expect traffic authorities to consider include journey time, the needs of all road users, and impacts on the local economy
lane rental schemes guidance – making it easier for councils to charge utility companies who slow drivers when conducting street works, and allowing the funds generated to be used to repair potholes
£50 million investment to upgrade traffic signals – £30 million to replace outdated equipment, and £20 million to reduce poor traffic light performance through innovative technology that responds to live traffic conditions, for 80 local highway authorities across England to improve journey times and reduce congestion caused by red lights
noise camera research – showing local authorities the success of this technology to secure evidence to prosecute those who have illegally modified their vehicle’s exhaust
These measures demonstrate our intent that drivers should be treated fairly, and the wishes of local people taken into account when decisions on traffic management are considered by local authorities. Further action on these measures and others in the Plan for Drivers will be announced later this year.
These measures from the Plan for Drivers will improve drivers' lives, shorten journey times, and ensure traffic measures have buy-in from the people they impact.
strengthened guidance to ensure low traffic neighbourhoods and 20mph speed limits have support of local people
research published today shows just 18% of people surveyed feel listened to on LTNs
latest step in delivering Plan for Drivers measures also include £50 million to upgrade traffic lights, speeding up journey times
consultations are launching to prevent local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by enforcing unfair restrictions
Motorists are set to benefit from smoother journeys and reduced congestion, with local people getting a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them, thanks to a crackdown on anti-driver road schemes, over-zealous traffic enforcement, and strengthened guidance for councils on 20mph limits. These are among the latest raft of measures to be announced from the government’s Plan for Drivers.
The Department for Transport has today (17 March 2024) published draft statutory guidance for councils on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that they must gain buy-in from local residents, businesses and emergency services when considering implementing new LTN schemes.
This could involve in-person events, online engagement, and leaflet drops to involve the whole community in the process and will mean that authorities must consider whether an LTN has local support before it is implemented.
The new guidance raises expected standards for LTNs and will come into force this summer when local authorities will be obliged to consider it when shaping new and existing schemes.
Local authorities are expected to follow the guidance and ensure local people support their plans. Recent examples where councils have implemented these schemes without public support have been shown to cause disruption and have unintended negative consequences.
If local authorities fail to deliver sensible road schemes that work for local people they could see future funding withdrawn, and under powers from the Traffic Management Act, the government could ultimately take control of an authority’s roads where they are deemed to be widely mismanaged.
A consultation will also be launched this summer on measures including the removal of local authorities’ access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data to enforce such schemes by camera.
Separately, councils have received strengthened guidance on setting 20mph speed limits, reminding them to reserve them for sensible and appropriate areas only – such as outside schools – and with safety and local support at the heart of the decision. Local authorities are expected to consider this guidance, and as with the LTN guidance, this could have implications for the awarding of funding in the future.
The action taken today on LTNs is supported by a wide-ranging review that highlights only 13% of residents have responded to councils’ planning consultations on LTNs, and just 18% feel that their views have influenced council decisions. The report also found that local authorities operating LTNs issue an average of 36,459 penalty charge notices per scheme, with the highest number of penalty charge notices issued for a single LTN scheme exceeding 170,000. That’s why the guidance embeds the need for local support and will ultimately save motorists money.
While the review showed only a quarter of people understood the benefits of LTNs, it also flagged concerns over the impact on disabled residents, high numbers of penalty charge notices, the cost of LTN schemes and even concerns from emergency services that delays to crews caught up in LTNs could “potentially risk lives”. The new guidance aims to prevent councils having to reverse poorly-implemented or locally unpopular schemes – as with recently removed LTNs at Jesmond, Newcastle and Streatham Wells, London.
These measures from our 30-point Plan for Drivers will improve the lives of drivers, shortening journey times and ensuring traffic measures have buy-in from the people they are impacting.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
We want local people to have their voices heard, and any traffic schemes to have the consent of those they impact.
Well thought out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community.
We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers – making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them.
Today’s announcement also sees a comprehensive package of other measures designed to put people back in the driving seat. Traffic lights will be upgraded across the country thanks to £50 million – £30 million to replace outdated equipment, and £20 million to reduce poor traffic light performance through innovative technology that responds to live traffic conditions. From Devon to Durham, 80 highway authorities across England will benefit from funding, to improve journey times and reduce congestion caused by red lights.
Consultations are also launching focusing on preventing local councils from turning drivers into ‘cash cows’ by profiting from enforcing traffic restrictions. This includes fines for drivers going into yellow box junctions or parking restrictions. The 8-week call for evidence will seek views from residents and will also quiz local authorities on how money from fines is reinvested.
Local people will have their say on whether they think enforcement is currently fair or believe authorities should be restricted in their traffic enforcement powers, and the findings will inform future government decisions on restricting authorities. As with LTNs, the government will also look at restricting local authorities access to third-party data, such as the DVLA database, for enforcement purposes.
At the moment, restrictions on bus lane use are too rigid, creating delays and causing regular fines for drivers. New guidance on bus lanes has also been issued today, to make sure they only operate when it makes sense, like when traffic is heavy enough to delay buses. This will prevent drivers being hit with unfair fines.
A consultation will also be launched to look into whether motorcycle access to bus lanes should be standard, a further initiative to reduce congestion and speed up journey times.
Further measures announced today include publication of new guidance making it simpler and easier for councils to charge utility companies who slow down drivers with street works and a consultation aiming to shake up motor insurance will also be launched to prevent those caught without it from claiming property damage from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Nuisance boy-racers who illegally modify their exhausts and disturb our streets are also being targeted. New research reveals the success of noise cameras in cracking down on illegally modified exhausts and anti-social drivers. The research will be used to encourage local authorities to install noise cameras after successful trials in Bradford, Birmingham, Bristol and Great Yarmouth.
Local transport note on how to deliver priority for bus services in England.
This guidance is aimed at local authorities. It contains information on how to identify good practice and new technologies that can be used to support bus user priority in England.