July saw the appointment of a new Prime Minister, alongside several relevant parliamentary developments. Keir Starmer stood down as Prime Minister on Monday 20 July and was succeeded by Andy Burnham. In his subsequent cabinet reshuffle, Burnham confirmed that Heidi Alexander would remain as Secretary of State for Transport. Lord Hendy (Rail), Simon Lightwood (Roads) and Keir Mather (Aviation and Maritime) were also retained as ministers. Lilian Greenwood was moved to the Department for Work and Pensions, with Justin Madders MP appointed in her place.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, a member of the APPG for Transport Safety, led a debate on the potential role of innovation and technology in reducing drink-driving. PACTS briefed Baroness Hayter ahead of the debate, highlighting research from the RAC and the European Transport Safety Council about how a majority of UK motorists were in favour of those convicted of drink-driving to have an alcohol interlock. This is part of continuing work that PACTS does to ensure that we are providing evidence-led information to parliamentarians.
The House of Commons entered its summer recess on 16 July, followed by the House of Lords on 23 July. Parliament is due to return on Tuesday 1 September.
Departmental, national, regional and devolved government announcements
The Government release its response to the “mandating vehicle safety technologies in GB type approval” consultation – 16/07/2026
The Government has confirmed that it will introduce the main requirements of the EU’s General Safety Regulation 2 into the Great Britain type-approval system. This will require 18 vehicle safety technologies on new mass-produced vehicles, including intelligent speed assistance, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping systems, driver drowsiness and distraction warnings, and event data recorders.
The changes follow years of evidence gathering, research and advocacy by PACTS and partners to highlight the importance of introducing proven vehicle safety technologies in Great Britain. PACTS has consistently called for the adoption of General Safety Regulation measures as a key step towards reducing deaths and serious injuries on the road, and will continue to engage with government, industry and stakeholders to support effective implementation.
The changes will bring Great Britain’s vehicle safety standards substantially back into line with those already applying in the EU and Northern Ireland. However, the Government will not initially mandate alcohol interlock interface technology, and lower-volume and special-purpose vehicles will generally be excluded.
The requirements will be introduced through future legislation, with phased implementation beginning 12 months after the rules enter into force for new vehicle types and later for new registrations and multi-stage vehicles.
Debates, questions and statements in Parliament
House of Lords Oral question – Potential role of innovation and technology in reducing drink-driving – Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town – 01/07/2026 – Hansard – Minister Lord Hendy was present
The debate focused on whether technology such as alcohol interlocks, or “alcolocks”, should be used to reduce drink-driving and repeat offending. Peers pressed the Government to act faster, arguing that alcolocks are effective while installed and could be used for repeat or high-risk offenders, while others called for lowering the drink-drive limit and improving drug-driving detection. Lord Hendy said the Government recognises the potential of these measures but wants to analyse responses to its road safety consultation before legislating, stressing that any action should be evidence-led, proportionate and aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
The debate was followed later in July by the Government’s response to the consultation on mandating vehicle safety technologies in Great Britain, which confirmed that a range of measures associated with the General Safety Regulation would be introduced into the domestic type-approval framework. The consultation had also considered alcohol-interlock technology. Although the Government did not announce a mandate for alcolocks, it encouraged vehicle manufacturers to continue installing the technology voluntarily. The response therefore demonstrated continued government interest in the technology, but did not go as far as the targeted mandatory approach advocated by some peers during the debate.
Transport Oral Questions – House of Commons – 16/07/2026 – Hansard – Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Minister Lilian Greenwood and Minister Simon Lightwood was present
Illegal and non-compliant e-bikes were a recurring theme in parliamentary questions raised in this regular event. Ministers reiterated that non-EAPC electric bikes exceeding the legal speed or power limits are treated as motor vehicles and must be registered, taxed and insured. The Government also confirmed that research has been commissioned into the use of illegal e-bikes in the gig economy. The exchanges reflect growing concern about converted and modified vehicles, although the Government’s responses focused largely on existing enforcement powers rather than new regulatory measures.
There was also continued political debate over 20 mph speed limits. Richard Holden criticised area-wide schemes, while Heidi Alexander stressed that decisions remain with local authorities and highlighted the reduced risk of fatal injury at lower speeds. The exchange demonstrates that opposition to 20 mph policies remains politically significant, but claims about their effects should be assessed against the evidence and the circumstances of individual schemes.
Other questions concerned specific local road safety issues, side-road zebra crossings, pothole-repair technology, the safety of women and girls on public transport, and aircraft cabin air quality. Of these, the Government’s commitment to legislate for side-road zebra crossings was the clearest new policy development.
Select Committee
Transport Committee – Oral Evidence – Road Safety Strategy – 15/07/2026 – Transcript
The Transport Committee heard evidence on speed as part of its continuing inquiry into the Government’s Road Safety Strategy. Although witnesses welcomed the strategy, they argued that it was not ambitious enough and relied too heavily on updated local guidance rather than clear national action. Their main recommendation was for 20 mph to become the default speed limit on residential and urban roads, with higher limits permitted where they could be justified.
Witnesses cited evidence that lower speeds substantially reduce deaths and serious injuries. TfL’s analysis found that 20 mph limits were associated with a 34% reduction in people killed or seriously injured and a 70% reduction among children. They also argued that area-wide limits are more effective and less confusing than restrictions focused only around schools, as most child casualties do not occur directly outside school gates.
The Committee was also told that lower limits must be supported by public engagement, enforcement, safer road design and technology such as Intelligent Speed Assistance. Witnesses called for better national speed-limit data, stronger accountability for local authorities and a public information campaign explaining why small reductions in speed have major safety benefits. Overall, they believed the evidence was already strong and that the main barriers were political will, consistent leadership and implementation.
Current Live Government Consultations
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- CCAV Statement of Safety Principles consultation
- Closing date: 9th September
- Current PACTS progress: PACTS is currently drafting a response
- CCAV Statement of Safety Principles consultation
