Last week’s Queen’s Speech included the introduction of a Modern Transport Bill that aims to put the UK “at the forefront of technology” and make “more efficient use of our roads, railways and airspace”.

The bill includes plans to boost the driverless-car sector by allowing such vehicles to be insured under ordinary policies.

James Dalton of the Association of British Insurers approves of the measure, saying: “Insurers are already working on how to shape the right framework to keep insurance as simple and straightforward as possible for the future of driving.

“The transition from conventional vehicles to a world where drivers become passengers will be the trickiest stage, but insurers are committed to supporting the roll-out of this important technology.”

Ministers have already launched driverless ‘test-beds’ in Greenwich, Bristol, Coventry and Milton Keynes, each receiving £19 million of funding.

“The bill says that the Government welcomes the growing use of drones for private and commercial use, but it is looking to resolve regulatory concerns around their potential mis-use and reports of near-misses with aircraft.

“It also says that establishing a commercial space-port is still a priority. Designed for operators such as Virgin Galactic to launch commercial satellites and tourists into space, the space-port “could be built by 2018”.