Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have delayed the production of a handbook for freight drivers using UK ports; if so, why; when this handbook will be ready for distribution; in how many languages it will be available; and what steps they are taking to ensure it is written in accessible language.

The haulier handbook is only one part of a wider package the Government has put in place to help and guide hauliers, which also includes the rollout of 45 Information and Advice Sites and a multimillion pound information campaign, running across the UK and Europe.

We are progressing work on the handbook at pace, and plan to publish it to coincide with this month’s full opening of the Information and Advice Sites.

The handbook explains complex procedures that hauliers and drivers will need to follow. We have worked with stakeholders to make it as clear as possible. Both Logistics UK and RHA have reviewed drafts of the handbook and tested the content with their members. This has lengthened the development time of the handbook, but it will help ensure that the document meets the needs of hauliers and drivers.

Much of the DfT element of this content has been available separately on GOV.UK for some time; as such hauliers have not had to wait for the handbook to get the DfT information.

We keep all our guidance under constant review, so we can improve it based on feedback from users.

The Haulier Handbook will be available in 14 languages including, Welsh, Romanian, Polish, Dutch, Bulgarian, French and Spanish.