Why millions of people could benefit from self-driving vehicles in the UK
Launched today (July 21), the consultation on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme will allow 'representative groups, industry stakeholders, trade unions and members of the public' to voice their opinions on how self-driving vehicles could be used.
It comes ahead of the proposed roll-out of taxi-, private-hire- and bus-like services with self-driving technology from spring 2026, prior to the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act in 2027.
Lilian Greenwood, future of roads minister, said: 'Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive. We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption.
'This technology doesn't just have the potential to improve transport for millions of people. It will help stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and drive investment to put more money in people's pockets – all part of delivering our Plan for Change.'
It follows on from a Government decision to 'fast-track' pilots of self-driving passenger vehicles to spring 2026, which would allow companies to pilot 'small-scale' services conducted without a safety driver monitoring the vehicle for the first time. Users would be able to book the service via an app, similar to a typical taxi or ride-hailing service.
Key pointers for the consultation include how self-driving cars could be made more accessible for disabled and older people, and how 'services of self-driving vehicles are approved by councils'.
The new consultation will run until September 28, 2025.
When speaking on the roll-out of Self-driving taxis and bus-like services, transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving.
'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.
'With road safety at the heart of our pilots and legislation, we continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry and drive innovation.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Starmer faces mounting calls for a Lionesses Bank Holiday if England women retain their Euros title after dramatic semi-final comeback
English football fans should get a day off to celebrate if the Lionesses bring it home by winning the Euros for the second time in a row, Keir Starmer has been told today. The Prime Minister is facing renewed calls for a Bank Holiday if the women's national team beat either German or Spain in Sunday's final. The Lionesses tested the nation's stress levels again last night with an incredible extra-time win over Italy in a semi-final, after scoring second from the end of normal time and extra time. Last-gasp goals by Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Smith saw them overcome Italy 2-1 in Geneva. No10 has been resisting calls to give millions of workers a day off, despite Sir Keir backing calls for a Bank Holiday when they won the Euros in 2022, when he was opposition leader. Liberal Democrat culture, media and sport spokesman Max Wilkinson said that it was important for the nation to mark 'the talent, success and historic achievement' of the team. 'The Lionesses can make history on Sunday and retain the Euros title they won so memorably three years ago. If they do that, the Prime Minister should give us a public holiday to honour their achievement,' he said. 'Retaining the title would be one of our country's greatest sporting achievements. Fans and patriots across the country deserve the chance to celebrate the talent, success and historic achievement of this amazing team. 'The Prime Minister is a football fan - we've all seen the pictures of him enjoying a kick around with his mates. 'If Wiegman's heroes deliver glory, we'll all be hoping he'll put the ball into an empty net by giving the Lionesses and the rest of us a chance to mark the occasion.' The Lionesses were on the brink of elimination by Italy when 19-year-old substitute Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, drawing the sides level with an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute opener. Then, with another shootout minutes away, Beth Mead was brought down and Kelly stepped up to the spot, where she was initially denied by Laura Giuliani, but buried the rebound to complete England's second successive stunning comeback. Asked yesterday whether the PM will grant a Bank Holiday if England go on to win the whole tournament on Sunday, Sir Keir's spokesman said: 'I'm not aware of any plans for that.' In 2022, the previous Tory government ruled out granting an extra Bank Holiday if England won the women's Euros. This was despite pressure from Sir Keir, the then Opposition leader, for them to do so. Ahead of that year's final, the Labour leader told the Daily Mirror that a Lionesses' victory should be 'marked with a proper day of celebration'. In 2023, when England reached the World Cup final, Sir Keir posted on social media: 'It's almost 60 years since England won the World Cup. 'I'm never complacent about anything… but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.' However, a report in 2022 said that the cost to the public finances of a single day bank holiday due to lost productivity is around £2.4billion.
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Evri cashes in on second-hand boom with record number of deliveries
Evri delivered more parcels than ever over the past year as it cashed in on the growth of 'bedroom CEOs' selling second-hand items and newer delivery opportunities like car parts and flowers. The West Yorkshire-based group said it delivered more than 807 million parcels over the year to the end of February. This was 11% more than the 730 million the previous year, and represents a 25% increase in parcel numbers in the last two years. Revenues for the company jumped by 12% to £1.85 billion year-on-year, it revealed. Evri said sales growth was partly fuelled by the booming popularity of second-hand marketplaces like eBay and Vinted, which has shown no sign of easing. The trend for buying and selling items online has created more opportunities for the parcel firm, with social media platforms like TikTok's shop helping change shopper behaviour, it said. Martijn de Lange, Evri's chief executive, said: 'It was a year that saw us expand our client base into new sectors, including fresh food, car parts and floristry, and grow our presence in existing ones. 'We continue to meet increased demand for customer-to-customer deliveries for online marketplaces, as buyer and seller behaviour changes – fuelled by scroll and spend social commerce sites such as TikTok's shop. 'Evri's tech-enabled convenience is equipping a growing army of bedroom CEOs who are shaping the future of ecommerce.' Evri, which was previously part of the Hermes parcel group, revealed that it spent £57 million over the financial year on its operations and technology in a bid to improve service levels. It has previously highlighted an improvement in its ratings over recent years but said there was 'more to do' to improve with some customers continuing to report delivery issues. The group recently announced it was joining forces with DHL's UK ecommerce arm to form one of the country's biggest delivery firms. The deal means Evri will enter the UK business letter market for the first time, bolstering its competition to Royal Mail.
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Furious Crystal Palace fans launch UEFA protest amid club's Europa League appeal
Crystal Palace fans protested UEFA 's decision to demote their club from the Europa League to the Conference League. The demotion was due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules, specifically concerning co-owner John Textor's involvement with both Palace and Lyon. Members of the Holmesdale Fanatics travelled to UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, to hand-deliver a letter to president Aleksander Ceferin demanding the ruling be overturned. The fan group also presented UEFA with a suitcase of fake money, symbolising perceived contradictions in the organisation's values and conduct. Following the protest, Palace lodged an appeal against UEFA, Nottingham Forest, and Lyon with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a decision anticipated by 11 August.
