New laws that may affect UK citizens in 2023. See details

After a politically turbulent last year, with three Prime Ministers, dozens of swapping Cabinet ministers and not a lot of time for making laws, the year 2022 has finally come to an end. The new year will bring a number of laws and rule changes in voting procedures at elections, a rise in council tax bills and some Brexit-related changes as well.

Here is look at 4 of them

Voter ID

The Elections Act 2022 will mean you will now be required to show photo ID at UK Parliamentary elections, police and crime commissioner elections and also at local elections in England.

Voter ID is supposed to stop people pretending to be someone else during voting.

Minimum wage Increase

The chancellor has announced that the national living wage will rise by 9.7% - 92p - from April.

The revised hourly rate will now be £10.42, meaning a £1,600 rise in pay for a full-time worker.

Expansion of Ultra Low Emissions Zones

In order to cut pollution around the capital, London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be expanded from August next year.

This means that people driving into London with the most polluting vehicles will now have to pay a £12.50 daily charge, even if they only make a short trip inside the zone.

Minimum service levels

The Transport Strikes Bill, which was introduced a couple of months ago, looks forward to the introduction of minimum service levels on transport services.

It hopes to ensure that specified transport services including rail, tubes and buses – will not completely shut down when unions impose strikes.

FAQs:

1. Will the transport strikes bill affect industries as well?
   Yes, even though the bill currently only relates to transport, it is possible it will be expanded to include a number of industries that must maintain minimum service levels.
2. What was the minimum wage before the introduction of the new minimum wage bill?
   The national living wage for 2022 was set at £9.50 per hour.