Speed limiters: From 1 January 2008 the final phase of EU speed limiter legislation will cover commercial vehicles from 3.5 – 7.5 tonnes GVW first registered on or after January 2005.
Currently these vehicles are allowed to travel at 70mph on motorways but the new legislation imposes a speed restricted to just 56mph. There is a concern that the new rules will lead to greater congestion on the high-speed roads, however statistics also show lower average speeds equal fewer accidents and therefore fewer casualties, in itself a large cause of congestion on a daily basis. There is an additional benefit suggested that lower running speeds equal fuel savings and lower emissions. To support this claim the DfT are said to have reported a fall of 34% in the decade of motorway accidents involving LGV’s, following the introduction of limiters in 1992.
Business rates: Local authorities may be allowed to charge a business rates supplement of up to 2p in the pound of rateable value to fund local development projects. The extra charge will apply to all business properties with a rateable value of more than £50,000. Yet another new local tax?
O-licensing change: An individual vehicle specification fee is expected to be dropped from the O-licensing system and to be included in the vehicle test fee possibly in April 2008. A review is expected at the same time to consider proposals for the abolition of paper discs.
National Minimum Wage: The rates applicable from 1 October 2007 are as follows:
Adult rate (22+) £5.52 per hour
Development rate (18-21): £4.60 per hour
Development rate (16-17): £3.40 per hour
Under the Act s.31 there are six potential criminal offences attracting hefty fines and a criminal record.
• Refusing or wilfully neglecting to pay the NMW
• Failing to keep or preserve records
• Knowingly causing or allowing false entries in records
• Producing or furnishing false records
• Delaying or obstructing a compliance officer
• Refusing or neglecting to answer any questions or produce documents requested by a compliance officer
