Legislation - Page 9

The Government will tighten the rules on the use of mobile phones making it illegal to use a hand-held device under virtually any circumstance while driving.

Durham County Council was found to have handed out more than 41,591 parking tickets this year so far, and 64,563 in the past 12 months.

Fleets were given a tax masterclass at this year’s Fleet & Mobility Live by Nigel Morris from MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Harvey Perkins of HRUX.

The Government has announced a raft of tax and spending proposals in Budget 2021, but announcements for the fleet and leasing industry were thin on the ground.

The planned fuel duty rise has been axed but company car tax rates beyond 2025 have not been revealed in the Budget.

A planned 2.8p fuel duty rise expected in the Budget today (Wednesday, October 27) is thought to have been axed, according to reports.

A pay-per-mile road-user charging scheme would be simpler, smarter and fairer than the expansion of London’s ULEZ, says think tank Centre for London.

An alternative road tax system based on distance travelled is supported by half (53%) of motorists, research from Venson Automotive Solutions suggests.

NI increase makes salary sacrifice schemes based around EVs even more attractive for both employers and employees, says Arval.

The average tax take from a company car has increased by £274 per vehicle, breaking the £3,000 barrier for the first time, new figures from HMRC suggest.

The issues and long-term challenges of moving people and goods around will be addressed at this year’s Fleet & Mobility Live, at the NEC Birmingham on October 5 and 6.

Seven leading trade organisations are calling on the Chancellor to extend eligibility of the super-deduction allowance to include leasing and short-term hire.

The number of people paying company car tax has again fallen substantially, with HMRC reporting 70,000 fewer people paying for the benefit.

A lorry driver has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after he collided with another vehicle while using his mobile phone.

Ruling is contrary to previous similar case won by Total People at the Court of Appeal.

The European Commission has fined BMW and Volkswagen Group €875,189,000 (£751m) for colluding with Daimler on the development of NoX treatment technology.

Councils outside London will be given powers to enforce so-called moving traffic offences from December, the Government has confirmed.

HMRC has clarified the tax policy concerning the VAT treatment of the charging of electric vehicles (EVs) via public charge points and at home.

The Government is being urged to honour a commitment made in its road safety action plan to increase the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt.

Addison Lee has been refused permission to appeal an Employment Tribunal’s decision that drivers are entitled to workers’ rights.

Government is asked to look again at rules governing the new super-deduction capital allowance so that leased vans and trucks qualify for the 130% relief.

HMRC rules for company car tax, based on a vehicle being available for private use, should be changed, according to the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

The super-deduction, says the Treasury, will allow companies to cut their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest.

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) is launching a tax manifesto that will guide future campaigning of the trade and training body.

The new 130% super-deduction tax relief announced by the Chancellor in the Budget could see more businesses decide to buy outright to take advantage of the potential savings, according to the March broadcast of the Fleet News at 10.

A new super-deduction tax relief, announced in the Budget, can be applied to fleets investing in new vans and trucks, HMRC has confirmed.

The Government has been criticised for cutting the plug-in van and truck grants just as commercial operators begin deploying electric vehicles (EVs).

Uber has confirmed it will pay its drivers a guaranteed minimum wage, offer holiday pay and provide pensions following a court ruling last month.

HMRC says it expects to clarify the tax rules for all fleets after legal process has ended.

A freeze in fuel duty for fleets, but no mention of company car tax - the fleet industry reacts to Budget 2021.

A planned hike in fuel duty, due to take effect next month, has been cancelled by the Chancellor in the Budget.

All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Road Freight and Logistics wants essential user rebate on fuel duty, cutting the effective level of fuel duty to that of Germany.

Government financial support remains vital to the survival of many firms in vehicle rental sector after Covid-19 “destroyed” the leisure market, says BVRLA.

Dr Steve Melia, senior lecturer in transport and planning at the University of the West of England (UWE), and author of Roads Runways and Resistance, says Government focus should be on reversing fuel duty cuts.

Fleet News survey shines light on fuel duty and VED alternative as ‘certainty’ tops fleet wish-list for Wednesday's Budget.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled Uber must classify its drivers as workers rather than self-employed, which could have wider consequences for the gig economy.

A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has renewed his call for a ban on smart motorways after a collision involving a car and a HGV took place in South Yorkshire.

There are a range of laws that fleet managers and their drivers need to adhere to. These range from road safety laws such as speed limit regulations, anti-drink driving legislation and minimum vehicle standards rules to health and safety regulations in the workplace and even anti-smoking laws that apply in company vehicles.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has written to HM Treasury ahead of the Spring Budget to outline fiscal measures required to support the fleet sector's recovery.

A new zero percentage benefit-in-kind tax rate for electric vans, which takes effect from April 6, has been underpublicised, according to the AFP.