Credit: Ben Birchall/PA

The government will give the go-ahead to a new generation of driverless cars at this week's Budget, Philip Hammond has indicated.

The chancellor will unveil regulatory changes that allow manufacturers to apply to test the vehicles. Hammond said the change could mean driverless cars are on the road by 2021. 

In an article for The Sun, he wrote: "This was once just an inventor's dream, but it will soon become a reality. We can stand by and watch this happen, or we can embrace it and take full advantage of what is in front of us. My Budget will include plans to make Britain a world leader in this area – the best place for developers to make and road test prototype vehicles."

He is also expected to announce a crackdown on how much plastic retailers are allowed to sell in a bid to clean up the oceans. 

Hammond will announce a call for evidence on Wednesday and will describe the UK as a “world leader”.

This article originally appeared on PublicTechnology sister publication PoliticsHome