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It’s gone like a flash but we are well past the half-way point of 2024 – and we have the new laws and changes to prove it. New legislation has come in around issues like pet abduction and landlord reforms and is now in force.
Many of the changes are major issues for drivers – with pavement parking changes and electric car charging amendments have come into force.
With a General Election looming, we are set for change whoever the new Government is. However, below is a month-by month look at the changes already in force.
Read more: DWP warning over ESA payments
January
Energy price cap
Between 1 January to 31 March 2024 the energy price cap was set at £1,928 a year for a typical household who use gas and electricity and pay by Direct Debit. The level of the energy price cap is based on typical household energy use and reflects recent falls in wholesale energy prices.
The amount you paid depended on actual household usage and where you live as well as meter and payment type.
New tax rules
From 1 January 2024 new rules appled which require UK-based online platforms to, from 1 January 2024, collect information about people who make money through their platforms and from 31 January 2025 (for the preceding calendar year i.e. the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024) – send this information to both HMRC and to the individual themselves.
The rules should help make it easier for people who make money through online platforms to comply with their tax obligations as the platform operators must give them details of their earnings. This information should help them complete their tax returns for example.
Free childcare
Working parents of two-year-olds in England will be able to get 15 hours a week free childcare from April 2024, it was announced. The applications for this open on January 2. Free childcare rules will be expanded again in September 2024 to include the parents of children aged nine months to 23 months, who will also be able to apply for 15 hours a week.
This will be increased to 30 hours of funded childcare from September 2025 for working parents of nine months to the start of school. At the moment, only parents of three and four-year-olds can claim 15 hours a week of free childcare, while some can get 30 hours a week.
National Insurance cut
From January 6, the main rate of national insurance was cut by two percentage points to 10%. But Labour, citing workings by the independent regulator, the Office for Budget Responsibility, said that for every £10 the Tories are taking in tax because of the thresholds freeze, they are only giving £2 back
February
Pavement parking
Highland Council issued a reminder to drivers that they’ll face a £100 fine if caught parking on the pavement at the start of February. New legislation across Scotland has banned pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.
Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “Many people face daily difficulties with pavement parking. It is dangerous and frustrating, especially for those with impairments or limited mobility. It can force people to take unnecessary risks. For example, people using wheelchairs and buggies or prams without access to dropped kerbs can be forced onto the road, risking their safety.
“Since December our parking enforcement team have been issuing warning notices to drivers caught breaking the law but during February 2024, they will be taking full enforcement action. Anyone parking on a pavement risks a fine of £100 or £50 if they pay it within 14 days.
“Details about the new regulations have been provided on the council’s website so I urge all drivers to make themselves familiar with the information. We hope everyone will consider others and there will be limited need for enforcement.”
HGV rule changes
Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s) must be fitted with new tachograph technology from February 21 under new regulations. The DVSA said: “On or after February 21, 2024, a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into all newly registered in-scope vehicles regardless of journey types.”
The DVSA added: “On or after December 31, 2024, a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles with an analogue or digital tachograph undertaking international journeys.”
The UK cities with clean air zones in 2023 are Birmingham, Bath, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth and Tyneside. Sheffield will start charging vehicles in its clean air zone on 27 February 2023. The plan for the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone is being reviewed during 2023.
Electric car charging
Motorway service operators interested in benefiting from the Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) must apply before the end of February. The Department for Transport (DfT) said the RCF is designed to “accelerate investments” in transport.
The DfT added: “The Government expects the private sector to deliver chargepoints, but will, under the pilot, fund non-commercially viable costs of future-proofing grid capacity. The pilot will fund a portion of the cost of upgrading connections at motorway service areas in England only.”
March
Car tax
Ahead of the Budget and Spring Statement, many have called on the Government to go further by delaying the introduction of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payments for EV drivers which is set to be introduced next year.
Car insurance
Major insurance companies have suggested that the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) could be scrapped to save drivers around £60 a year.
Fuel duty
Fuel duty was first cut by five pence per litre in 2022 and extended by 12 months last year. It is now up to the Chancellor to extend the cut by another year, raise the rate of the cut or let it expire, all of which are expected to have an impact on fuel costs.
Number plates
In March, the registration year translates directly to the digits you see on the reg plate. So, cars with a reg plate assigned between March 1st and September 1st 2024, you will see ’24’ on the plate. In September, the ‘year’ is increased by 50 and will therefore have a reg plate with the digit ’74.
April
MOT tests
One in five MOT testers had not yet completed the annual training and assessment, potentially resulting in them being suspended. The deadline to successfully complete the annual assessment and have it recorded against their MTS profile is March 31, with testers being forced to switch their testing status to suspended.
This could have a knock-on effect for drivers over fears it will lead to a drop in the number of available MOT testers to carry out routine vehicle checks.
Driving permits
From 1 April 2024, IDPs will be available exclusively from participating PayPoint stores across the UK. While many countries do not require an IDP, there are over 140 countries where an IDP is recommended or required if you’re planning to drive there.
While many countries do not require an IDP, there are over 140 countries where an IDP is recommended or required if you’re planning to drive there. The countries needing an IDP include popular holiday destinations such as Turkey, Mexico, Canada and Australia. Motorists can check if they need an IDP for the country they are visiting on the government website.
Car tax
The Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is set to increase across the board in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation. Some car owners could see a whopping £140 rise. Pete Barden has said that from April 1, 2024, there will be about a six per cent increase. This will affect those who own cars that pollute more the most.
It’s thought that people who have bought new petrol and diesel cars that emit over 255 g/km of CO2 will have to pay £2,745 in road tax fees in the first year. That’s a whopping £140 more than the £2,605 charge drivers had to pay to tax their cars last year. But it’s not just the cars that pollute the most that will have to pay more. Cars that emit between 226 and 255 g/Km will face rises of £120.
DVLA and Post Office
Post Office has renewed its contract with DVLA to continue to provide its services for vehicle tax across the UK and driving licence photocard renewals in branches in GB. The new contract will officially take effect on 1 April 2024, for one year, with the option to extend for a further two years.
The renewal follows uncertainty last year on whether the services would remain with Post Office.
Expats
In March, new rules for driving licences could affect Brits living in a popular European country. New advice means that Brits living in Latvia can now use their valid UK driving licence in the country until it expires. UK citizens can also now exchange their driving licence for a new one without having to take any more tests.
May
Pet Abduction Act
Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 – which was a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord Black of Brentwood and supported by the Government – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was first introduced into Parliament in November 2023 and was given royal assent on 24 May 2024, finally becoming law in England and Wales ahead of the general election.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (the Act) aims to improve the rights of residential long leaseholders of houses and flats in England and Wales.
The Act intends to make it easier for leaseholders to extend their lease, buy their freehold and take over management of their building. However, the proposal to abolish or cap ground rents for existing leaseholders, a key flagship aspect of the proposals, has been withdrawn.
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill
The Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill will quash the convictions of postmasters and others in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who were charged with theft, fraud and related offences as a consequence of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
Nick Emmerson, the president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “We are pleased that postmasters and others affected by the Post Office/Horizon scandal now have their convictions quashed and can gain access to compensation schemes.
“We reiterate that a piece of legislation as constitutionally significant as this required adequate parliamentary scrutiny time. This bill has now been pushed through both houses at pace and the Law Society remains concerned that it could set a precedent for parliamentary intervention in the justice system.”
Victims and Prisoners Bill
This legislation establishes a compensation body for victims of the infected blood scandal, which saw 30,000 people infected with HIV and hepatitis C. The total cost of compensation could be in the region of £10bn.
In his report into the scandal, Sir Brian Langstaff said the NHS and successive governments had “repeatedly” failed the victims.
Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
The bill, announced in the King’s Speech, aims to strengthen consumer rights online and tackle fake reviews. It bans the practice of “drip pricing” in online shopping, introduces a ban on foreign governments owning UK newspapers, and more.
“The CMA will have to publicly consult on proposed conduct requirements before they become binding, with various investigatory and enforcement powers to ensure compliance. The CMA must ensure that the obligations imposed under the conduct requirements are proportionate” said Tadeusz Gielas, competition law and consumer protection expert at Pinsent Masons.
The Media Bill
The Media Bill scraps a never-enacted rule forcing media companies to pay the legal bills of people who sue them, even if they win. The aim of the Media Bill is to update the existing legislative framework on broadcasting governance following the UK’s exit from the EU and to address technological changes, such as the rise of on-demand services.
The bill also seeks to provide for the sustainability of Channel 4 and regulate the powers, remit and audit of Welsh language channel S4C.
June
1 June onwards – benefit changes
Benefits payments increased by 6.7% from April 8, 2024, for many claimants. But for some Universal Credit claimants, the increased benefit rates will only take effect around June. This is due to the Universal Credit assessment period.
Universal Credit is calculated based on your circumstances each month and these are called your “assessment periods” – if your circumstances change within the assessment period then the amount of Universal Credit you get that month could also change. So if your assessment period started before the April 8 rise, you will have seen the benefits rise in May. However, those whose assessment period started after won’t see it until June.
Charity Turn2us sets out an example: If your assessment period started on March 26. It runs for a complete calendar month to 25 April, with a new assessment period beginning on 26 April. Universal Credit payments are paid a week after the last date of each assessment period, so you will receive your payment on 2 May.
But as this assessment period started before April 8, the new rates will not take effect and you will have to wait until your next assessment period (April 26 to May 25) to get the new rate on June 1.
5 June – new banknotes
King Charles III appears on bank notes entering circulation officially for the first time in June. The Bank of England said in a statement: “The portrait of the King will appear on existing designs of all four banknotes (£5, £10, £20, and £50), with no other changes to the existing designs.
“Banknotes that feature the portrait of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and will co-circulate alongside King Charles III notes. The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those that are worn and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes. Our approach is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change.”
10 June – £500 cat fines
All cats over 20 weeks old in England must be microchipped by 10 June. You could face a £500 if you miss the deadline and don’t get your cat microchipped in the following 21 days. The law does not apply to the rest of the UK.
19 June – inflation data released
This will give us the clearest indication of whether the Bank of England will lower interest rates. The Bank’s target is 2% (April’s headline rate was 2.3%), so the closer we get to that number the better.
20 June – interest rate decision
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet to review its base interest rate. Currently, the rate sits at 5.25% and has been at this level since August last year. At its last meeting on May 8, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain the rate at the same level. Two members voted to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 5%.
The Bank bases its decision on the level of inflation in the UK and earlier this month it was revealed that this had dropped to 2.3% in the year to April. This is not far off the Bank’s target of 2%. Many believe this should encourage the Bank of England to cut interest rates, however, this drop was not as far as was anticipated. This means the Bank may hold off from cutting rates until inflation drops further. However if it does, the 643,000 people on tracker mortgages will see an immediate cut to their monthly payments.
27 June – doctors’ strike
Junior doctors seeking a pay increase of a whopping 35 percent will begin five days of strikes on June 27, in what some have criticised as cynically politically motivated industrial action.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins blasted the strike as “a highly cynical tactic”, and added: “The BMA junior doctors have already received a pay increase of up to 10.3 percent.”
During the strikes, those who have time are advised to check their meters as a new energy price cap will fall by £122 annually. It’s thought energy providers will automatically make adjustments, but getting a meter reading could help.
30 June – meter readings
By taking a meter reading and sending it in to your supplier either slightly before or on 1 July, you can ensure that you will not be charged the old price cap rate. By submitting a meter reading before the price cap drops on 1 July – ideally the day before, on 30 June – it means your energy company cannot charge you at the higher rate for any units that have been used after that date. So, by taking a meter reading you’re ensuring you’re not overcharged based on your supplier’s estimate.
