The government features strongly in today’s two biggest stories: not only is it accused of ‘hyping up’ its new UK Border Immigration Agency, but it has come under pressure to give guidance on any standards set for future low-emission zones (LEZs).

Innovation and product development are also major themes today: Isuzu has held a customer clinic to assess UK interest in its 7.5-tonne Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and security firm Viper Guard is on the hunt for inventors with innovative (and potentially profitable) concepts.

The blogs today as international as ever: right here on the Road Transport Blog, Clare Bottle continues her travels in Zambia, while over in BigLorryBlog the focus is on heavy haulage in Venezuela.

In other news, Palletways remains in the red, RT.com's sister site TruckNet UK gears up for the show season, and the British Safety Council says that safety training can lead to savings.