Andy Burnham has been urged to introduce a mandatory 50mph speed cap on all petrol and diesel cars. These recommendations, aimed at the first weeks of Mr Burnham’s tenure, come from Labour Party pressure group Compass.
Compass has compiled a report detailing 100 policies intended to guide the new prime minister through their first 100 days in office.
The proposal has drawn criticism from Richard Holden MP, Conservative shadow transport secretary, who labelled it “absurd” and claimed it would fuel a “war on motorists.” He highlighted existing local initiatives, stating, “Labour, Lib Dem and Green Councils are already enforcing borough-wide blanket 20mph speed limits across the country, so it is not surprising that the next big idea from the left is to install speed limiters in every car.”
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These recommendations follow suggestions from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a thinktank that recently advocated for lower speed limits as one part of a broader strategy to mitigate the economic effects of the Iran conflict on consumers.
The IPPR proposed capping speeds at 20mph in towns and cities and 60mph on motorways, measures which they argue would reduce fuel demand and help address rising oil prices influenced by international tensions.
Additionally, the IPPR recommended a temporary 10p cut in fuel duty and the introduction of a £2,000 annual energy price cap to support consumers. The thinktank cautioned that inflation could peak at 5.8% if no action is taken.
William Ellis, senior economist at the IPPR, said, “The UK cannot afford to remain passive and allow another energy shock to exacerbate inflation and harm the economy. The UK economy and public finances are expected to suffer considerably from the Iran conflict, regardless of government intervention.”
Lowering speed limits was described as a “dual win,” reducing fuel consumption while promoting safer streets that encourage walking and cycling for short journeys. The recommendations also include advice on efficient driving, increased home working, and carpooling.