Key occasions
Greenwood defends proposal to require older drivers to take eye checks
In interviews this morning, Lilian Greenwood, the transport minister, additionally defended the proposal to require older drivers to take eye checks. She informed BBC Breakfast:
We all know that our eyesight can deteriorate as we grow old. I’ve had coroner’s experiences the place individuals have been killed by individuals who’ve acquired poor eyesight. Typically they’re driving in a reckless method once they’ve already been suggested that they shouldn’t be driving anymore. In different instances, individuals didn’t realise that their eyesight had deteriorated.
However we’ve acquired an ageing inhabitants. We all know that it is a rising difficulty, and that’s why we’re proposing this motion immediately.
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood rejects declare more durable drink-driving guidelines will kill off rural pubs
Good morning. Keir Starmer is taking his first PMQs of 2026 immediately, and it’s exhausting to think about that he’ll get by means of that with out with the ability to touch upon Donald Trump escalating his threats about annexing Greenland – a prospect that will tear aside Nato.
However, even with the world in disaster, home coverage making has to proceed and this morning the federal government is specializing in one thing nearer to residence – its street security technique.
The total doc just isn’t out but, however right here is the Division for Transport’s press release and right here is Gwyn Topham’s overnigtht story about it.
The federal government needs to chop deaths and severe accidents on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035 and it’s fairly a meaty technique, with a number of important proposals, albeit largely ones which are going out for session, which implies there’s a probability they may very well be watered down.
Maybe essentially the most controversial plan is the proposal to chop the drink-drive restrict in England and Wales. It has not modified since 1967 and it’s the highest in Europe, at 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. It may very well be reduce to 22 micrograms, in keeping with the restrict in Scotland since 2014.
Predictably, the rightwing papers are presenting this as a risk to rural pubs.
The Telegraph story quotes the British Beer and Pub Affiliation as saying: “The pub sector continues to face big challenges, so any extra coverage measures that additional influence commerce will likely be of actual concern to licensees, particularly these in rural areas.”
Lilian Greenwood, the transport minister, has been giving interviews this morning, and and he or she has rejected the declare {that a} decrease drink-drive restrict would result in rural pubs closing. She stated there was proof to again this up. She informed Occasions Radio:
In drawing up these plans we’ve listened rigorously to street security specialists from each within the UK and the world over. That’s exactly what we wished to do was to be evidence-led by way of our coverage making.
Clearly the drink drive restrict was lowered in Scotland again in 2014. The proof from studies by the University of Stirling, [and from the] University of Bath is that that didn’t have a major influence on the pub commerce. They didn’t endure on account of that. So we now have taken that under consideration in devising these proposals.
She additionally stated the federal government didn’t need to cease individuals going to pubs.
What we’re simply saying is don’t take your automotive. So which may imply that you understand some locations you’ll be capable of take a bus or a taxi. Elsewhere you’re going out with a bunch of mates. Considered one of you agrees to be the designated driver. I do know from working with the pub commerce what number of nice low alcohol drinks there are on the market. Now most of our favourite manufacturers are produced in a low alcohol model. So individuals have a lot of alternatives to do one thing to decide on a distinct drink once you need to exit and you understand and revel in your self within the pub.
I’ll put up extra from her interviews quickly.
Right here is the agenda for the day.
10am: Nigel Farage, the Reform UK chief, holds a press convention.
Morning: The Division for Transport is because of publish its full road safety strategy.
Midday: Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.
After 12.30pm: MPs debate two Tory opposition day motions, on jury trials and rural communities.
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