Ben Hurst

The UK Department for Transport plans to mandate 18 safety technologies in all new cars sold in Great Britain, including automatic emergency braking for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, intelligent speed assistance, blind-spot detection, distraction and drowsiness warnings, lane-keeping intervention and tyre-pressure monitoring. The measures form part of a road-safety strategy targeting a 65% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2035. Brake supports the proposals, while opponents warn that they could raise vehicle prices, repair bills and maintenance costs and may perform unreliably in poor weather or on rural roads. Alcohol interlock interface facilitation was considered but excluded.

The government is considering tougher penalties for motoring offences, including penalty points and possible vehicle confiscation for driving without a valid MOT. The proposals also cover uninsured driving, unidentifiable vehicle keepers, cloned or false number plates, drink- and drug-driving, medical fitness and seatbelt compliance. A consultation closed on 16 May, with responses expected by August and legislative changes planned for later in the year. Officials say stronger powers are needed to address road deaths, serious injuries and legal loopholes, while police seizure powers should remain proportionate.

The Department for Work and Pensions is preparing to resume transferring around 153,000 working-age Disability Living Allowance claimants to Personal Independence Payment after pausing the process during the Covid-19 pandemic. Claimants, including people with lifetime awards, will generally receive a letter and have four weeks to begin a PIP claim; those who fail to respond could lose their existing benefit. The DWP will first review 3,000 randomly selected cases from September to determine what additional support may be needed. Disability organisations and advocates argue that vulnerable claimants should be transferred automatically rather than subjected to a potentially arduous reassessment, warning that missed claims could push thousands into severe poverty.

England’s new weekly food waste collection rules are being introduced unevenly because of council delays. Residents are warned that food caddies should contain food waste such as meat, bones, dairy, fruit, vegetables, bread, tea bags and coffee grounds, but not packaging, liquids, oils, animal waste, bedding, flowers or other non-food items. Liner rules vary by council: some accept ordinary plastic bags because treatment plants remove them before anaerobic digestion, while others require certified compostable bags or provide free replacements. Residents should check their local authority’s guidance before using non-standard liners.