The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a further extension to the decision deadline for the London Luton Airport Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). The new deadline is now set for 3 April 2025, a three-month extension from the previous deadline of 3 January 2025. This extension, granted under section 107(3) of the PA 2008, is intended to allow the newly appointed Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, sufficient time to review the application.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published the revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) and laid it before Parliament following consultation and scrutiny by the Transport Committee. Transport Minister, Keir Mather MP, announced the final proposed statement, which will replace the 2012 policy after the statutory parliamentary consideration period. The revised NPSP provides the framework for decisions on nationally significant port developments in England, including associated road and rail links and Milford Haven in Wales, maintaining a market-led approach while strengthening planning policy to support economic growth, supply chain resilience and the clean energy transition.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has officially enacted the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate, effective 1 January 2025. This legislation requires a minimum of 2% SAF in all jet fuel for UK departures, increasing to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. The mandate aims to supply 1.2 million tonnes of SAF annually to the UK airline industry by 2030, significantly reducing carbon emissions. To support this initiative, the government will introduce a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF producers, with a consultation on this measure scheduled for early 2025. The DfT has stated that this places the UK at the forefront of aviation decarbonisation efforts, supporting job creation and economic growth in the sustainable fuel sector.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced new legislation in Parliament aimed at increasing domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). A key measure is the establishment of a revenue certainty mechanism (RCM), designed to provide financial stability for green fuel producers. The RCM will be funded through a levy on aviation fuel suppliers, with the DfT continuing to consult with industry on pricing details. It is also intended to minimise ticket price changes, capping annual fluctuations at an average of £1.50. The legislation supports compliance with the SAF Mandate, which came into force in January 2025 and requires 10% of jet fuel used on UK-departing flights to come from sustainable sources by 2030. The DfT also announced an additional £400,000 in funding to help fuel producers accelerate the testing and qualification of green fuels, expediting their entry into the market.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a red, amber, green rating system to assess the performance of 154 local highway authorities in England based on road condition, spending effectiveness, and adherence to best practice in highway maintenance. The ratings, published on 11 January 2026, will determine access to future funding allocations from the government's £7.3bn road maintenance budget. Authorities rated red will receive £300,000 worth of expert planning and capability assistance to improve performance. The DfT has linked 25% of authorities' £500m funding uplift for the current financial year to the publication of transparency reports, with £125m previously withheld funding released in late 2025 following successful report submissions. The system aims to drive improved performance in pothole repair and long-term road maintenance, with authorities required to demonstrate investment in preventative measures rather than short-term repairs.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued new guidance requiring councils in England to publish transparency reports demonstrating how they repair roads, including measures to prioritise long-term preventative maintenance and full road resurfacing, and to reduce repeat visits to the same stretch of asphalt. From September 2026, the reports will enable the public to assess council performance in tackling potholes, with progress reflected in updated red/amber/green (RAG) ratings. Councils that fail to publish reports on time or comply with the requirements may have almost a third of this year’s highways maintenance funding withheld. The guidance also specifies what information authorities must publish, how and when it must be published, requires use of a standard template and links transparency reports to highways maintenance incentive funding by allowing DfT to assess performance and determine funding eligibility.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a call for evidence to support the development of secondary legislation and guidance under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (AVA 2024). The consultation aims to ensure that the regulatory framework governing self-driving vehicles is proportionate, forward-looking and responsive to technological developments. Responses are sought by 5 March 2026.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a call for evidence seeking information from industry stakeholders, environmental groups and the public on decarbonising UK ports. The initiative is part of the government's broader maritime decarbonisation strategy, aiming to develop policies that support the reduction of carbon emissions in port operations. ​

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a call for evidence to review how road and rail nationally significant infrastructure projects are defined in the Planning Act 2008. The DfT is seeking views on whether the current definition for highways and railway projects will allow future transport projects to be able to access a proportionate consenting process. This call for evidence will close on 5 April 2024.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation on proposals to update the minimum emission standard for new road vehicles in GB to the Euro 7 standard, covering cars, vans, trucks, buses and coaches. Vehicle emission standards set limits on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) and define test procedures for emissions, fuel economy, energy consumption and electric range. They also include in-service conformity (ISC) testing to ensure vehicles continue to meet standards throughout their lifetime. The consultation closes on 25 May 2026.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation seeking views on amendments to licensing restrictions to address driver shortages for busses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGV). The proposals including removing the 50km restriction if bus and coach drivers between the ages of 18 to 20 are driving a regular service and allowing a person to undertake theory and off-road manoeuvres tests to gain their driver certificate of professional competence before being granted a provisional driver entitlement. The consultation closes on 5 June 2024.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation on a new statutory instrument to establish a permitting scheme for automated passenger services (APS) under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024. The consultation, which runs until 28 September 2025, includes draft regulations for the new scheme intended to provide a flexible regulatory framework for commercial self-driving pilots. The proposed regulations aim to address challenges in applying existing legislation to autonomous vehicle services and create greater regulatory certainty for businesses deploying such services.