This is one of a series of blogs on how public policy is made in the UK. In this first blog, we look at how policies are created and what happens before they are brought to Parliament as a legislative bill.
Matthew Niblett

Recent Posts
The pre-legislative phase: How is policy made in the UK?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 24 Aug 2023
What the UK's Autumn Statement means for the tech sector
Written by Matthew Niblett on 17 Nov 2022
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has published his Autumn Statement, outlining the UK Government’s fiscal policies for the next five years. The statement includes a number of measures of interest for the tech sector, which we summarise below.
What next for the Online Safety Bill?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 25 Jul 2022
The Online Safety Bill is the UK Government’s flagship piece of digital regulation, the British equivalent of the EU’s Digital Services Act. Prior to Boris Johnson’s resignation and the ensuing fallout, there were hopes that the bill would clear the House of Commons before parliamentary recess began on 22 July 2022. However, due to the distractions caused by the Prime Minister’s resignation, the bill still has several parliamentary stages before it becomes law , and could face further revision, depending on which one of Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak becomes the next Prime Minister. In this blog, Inline asks: what next for the Online Safety Bill?
Who are the UK's digital regulators?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 10 Mar 2022
Inline’s previous blog explored the UK Government’s aspirations for the technology and digital sectors and its legislative plans to make the UK a global leader in the space. In this blog, we look at the organisations responsible for regulating the UK’s tech sector, focusing on their powers and for which areas they have responsibility. We highlight some of the regulatory issues that these regulators are dealing with and which we advise tech companies should monitor.
Is the UK charging towards an electric vehicle future, or stuck in the slow lane?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 26 Nov 2021
As part of its desire to increase take-up of electric vehicles, wind down sales of petrol and diesel vehicles and achieve net zero, the UK Government is planning a massive increase in electric vehicle charging points. But its plans have come under scrutiny, with critics saying that the grid is not ready and that the proposals only benefit a small fraction of the population. Have we reached a tipping point towards the transition to EVs, and what else needs to be done? In this blog, Matt Niblett analyses the plan and identifies outstanding challenges to be solved.
Local elections 2021: red wall versus blue wall?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 10 May 2021
Much of the focus on this weekend’s election results has been on the Conservative successes in the so-called red wall but less attention has been paid to the inroads by other parties in the Tory’s ‘blue wall’ in the south east of England. In this blog, Matt Niblett rings a warning bell for the Tories.
Are we seeing the emergence of a new gig economy in Europe?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 10 Feb 2021
In recent weeks companies operating in the gig economy have been signing agreements with regulators and unions regarding the status of their workers. The highest profile of these has been food delivery company JustEat, which has announced that it will move away from the gig economy model in several of its markets and will offer its drivers benefits including hourly wages, sick pay, and pension contributions.
How will Californians' rejection of Assembly Bill 5 impact the gig economy in Europe?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 17 Nov 2020
Amid the fallout from the U.S. election, you might be forgiven for failing to notice that something very significant happened for the gig economy on polling day. Voters in California approved Proposition 22, a ballot measure sponsored by Uber, Lyft, and Postmates, to classify ride hailing and delivery drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees, unless certain criteria are met. This means that, barring a legal challenge or repeal in the California state legislature, the gig economy companies will not have to adhere to Assembly Bill 5. This is a major victory for the sector.
Future of Transport: Winners and losers from COVID-19 lockdowns
Written by Matthew Niblett on 28 Sep 2020
Covid-19 and its associated lockdowns have seen major cities across the world grind to a halt. Almost overnight, transport systems which once facilitated millions of journeys were restricted to a tiny fraction of those. As lockdowns the world have been eased, we can see what some of the impacts have been. Traditional forms of mass transport are struggling, whilst innovative technologies like e-scooters and drone deliveries are emerging from the crisis stronger than before.
COVID-19 will force governments to show their hands on the gig economy
Written by Matthew Niblett on 06 May 2020
COVID-19 has shown us both how reliant we are on gig workers, and how vulnerable such workers are in major crises. After the crisis is over, policymakers will have to decide whether the gig economy and its ecosystem is something to be championed, or something to be managed via further regulations.
Why a European AB5 is still some way off
Written by Matthew Niblett on 06 Mar 2020
California’s recent regulation to address perceived imbalances in the gig economy (known as AB5) has set tongues wagging about the future of companies like Uber and Lyft. Given Europe’s reputation for being tough on tech giants, is a similar intervention on this side of the Atlantic now inevitable?
Transport tech: friend or foe to the green agenda?
Written by Matthew Niblett on 30 Jan 2020
European countries and cities want to reduce their carbon emissions, with transport being one of the highest priority areas. Ride hailing, e-scooters, and car sharing firms all think that they have a part to play, but they are often unpopular amongst urban policymakers. Why is this, and how can policymakers make better use of these innovations in order to meet their climate change targets?
Inline’s at-a-glance guide to the 2019 election
Written by Matthew Niblett on 02 Dec 2019
The UK’s fast approaching elections will have major ramifications for businesses, citizens and Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world. Our one-page guide summarises where each of the major parties stands on the most important policy issues for the tech sector.
Mobility-as-a-Service in Europe: A Policy Analysis
Written by Matthew Niblett on 06 Nov 2019
As Mobility-as-a-Service increasingly grabs the attention of policymakers and businesses alike, Inline’s new report looks at the MaaS policy challenges across Europe, and what regulators are doing to address those questions.
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 27 September 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 27 Sep 2019
This week's top three: Uber gets two more months in London; Paris e-scooter backlash continues apace; Labour promises "people's Zipcar".
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 20 September 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 20 Sep 2019
This week's top three: Estonia becomes the latest European country to legislate for e-scooters, Spanish taxi union goes after ride hailing employment model in the courts, and Berlin police publish e-scooter accident stats.
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 13 September 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 13 Sep 2019
This week's top three: On demand transport benefits from massive Paris strike; Porto seeks to learn lessons from Lisbon's "jungle" e-scooters regulations; and Munich taxi drivers call for ride hailing clampdown
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 6 September 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 06 Sep 2019
This week's top three: Ireland considers age limits and maximum speed for e-scooters; Under 18s and non-drivers to be banned from using e-scooters in Malta; and German Environment Agency says scooters can replace cars in suburbs.
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 30 August 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 30 Aug 2019
This week's top three: Milan paves way for introduction of e-scooters; new figures show ride hailing on the rise in Spain; and Romania to update road regulations to include e-scooters.
Top 3 On Demand Mobility Stories in Europe - 23 August 2019
Written by Matthew Niblett on 23 Aug 2019
This week's top three: New European mobility regulations proposed; UK Government vehicles should be used for car sharing, says report; and Barcelona to issue tender for e-bikes and scooters "soon"