Legislation Published April 2026

Legislation Tracker is your source for clear, concise explanations of Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments introduced in the United Kingdom.

We break down the technical legal jargon of each piece of legislation, explaining in plain language what it means and its potential impact.

Summary

  • 24th Apr 26 Unmanned aircraft flying restrictions were imposed below 1,200 feet around Drax, North Yorkshire, between April 27th and May 3rd, 2026, based on public safety concerns. View
  • 24th Apr 26 Amended the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010 to allow the Trustee to offer drawdown pensions to members and expand post-death payment flexibility to dependants, nominees, or successors. View
  • 24th Apr 26 The United Kingdom enacted eleven time-bound, geographically defined temporary flight restrictions below 4,000 feet on April 24, 2026, to facilitate essential helicopter operations. View
  • 23rd Apr 26 Legislation was introduced to create a statutory duty on the Crown to ensure support is provided to veterans and their families. View
  • 23rd Apr 26 Specific remaining provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 were brought into force on 15th February 2010, accompanied by saving provisions to manage the transition. View
  • 23rd Apr 26 The Regulations detail the procedures, validity periods, renewal windows, conditions for intervention, and information sharing protocols governing permits for automated passenger services under the 2024 Act. View
  • 23rd Apr 26 The regulations restricted unmanned aircraft flight below 1,300 feet over Glasgow Green between 09:00 on 19th June 2026 and 22:30 on 21st June 2026, excluding specific police or authorized flights. View
  • 23rd Apr 26 Regulations established temporary flight restrictions below 1,800 feet over a radius around a central point in Gateshead on April 24th, 25th, and early April 26th, 2026, for a multi-agency operation. View
  • 22nd Apr 26 The Regulations transferred certain adult education functions from the Secretary of State to Warwickshire County Council and established conditions on their exercise. View
  • 22nd Apr 26 The amendment officially updated definitions, increased generating capacity, modified authorized works, and revised building height parameters for the North Killingholme Generating Station Development Consent Order 2014. View
  • 22nd Apr 26 Air traffic restrictions were imposed below 3,300 feet over Portrush, Northern Ireland, during specific hours on May 6th, 7th, and 9th, 2026, for the North West 200 Motorcycle Races. View
  • 21st Apr 26 The regulations permitted the use of the mineral substance, magnesium L-threonate monohydrate, as a source of magnesium in the manufacture of food supplements in England by amending Schedule 2 of the 2019 EU Exit Regulations. View
  • 21st Apr 26 The Regulations mandated the Information Commissioner to create a data protection code of practice for AI and automated decision-making, while simultaneously excluding national security considerations from the oversight panel's review. View
  • 21st Apr 26 Amended the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 by revoking specific trade prohibitions, correcting definitions, and updating references to the Government of Syria. View
  • 21st Apr 26 The regulations brought into force Part 5 (excluding civil sanctions and certain administrative subsections) and Section 93 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 effective from May 15, 2026. View
  • 21st Apr 26 The Regulations imposed temporary altitude and radius restrictions on unmanned aircraft flight near Epsom for June 5th and 6th, 2026, citing public safety concerns for the Derby event. View
  • 21st Apr 26 The Order formally approved seven specified highway authorities to levy charges for occupation of the highway under existing lane rental regulations. View
  • 20th Apr 26 The Regulations removed five specified ambulance services in England and Northern Ireland from the list of public authorities authorized to obtain communications data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. View
  • 20th Apr 26 Imposed immediate, time-specific emergency flight restrictions on unmanned aircraft below 1,250 feet over The Mall, Harrow area on April 20, 2026. View
  • 17th Apr 26 * The Secretary of State made an Order amending the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order 2024 following an application for non-material changes, updating descriptions in Schedule 1, altering highway and access provisions in Schedule 2, modifying measurements in Schedules 7 and 8, and substituting the list of certified documents in Schedule 10. View
  • 17th Apr 26 Announces a formal correction to The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 by rectifying a typographical error in a certification website URL listed in a footnote. View
  • 16th Apr 26 Schedule 1 amended specific sections and text within the Armed Forces Act 2006 relating to service discipline and complaints procedures. View
  • 16th Apr 26 The Order introduced amendments to service pension entitlement regulations within the Armed Forces to ensure greater equality. View
  • 16th Apr 26 The legislation established the statutory basis for providing income tax relief for investments made into qualifying unlisted companies under the Enterprise Investment Scheme. View
  • 16th Apr 26 The Regulations amended the Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to correct errors, introduce 'interchangeable goods' provisions under Chapter 6 for repayment/remission claims, and link Chapter 5 relief to Chapter 6 claims, while inserting a 'fit and proper person' test for certain claims. View
  • 16th Apr 26 The commencement date for the Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 was officially changed from 20th April 2026 to 25th May 2026. View
  • 16th Apr 26 The North East Combined Authority's maximum tolls for the Tyne Tunnel crossing were revised and specified in a new schedule, effective May 1, 2026, following the revocation of the 2025 toll revision order. View
  • 15th Apr 26 The Armed Forces Act 2021 amended primary legislation relating to service discipline, administration, and service justice procedures within the UK Military. View
  • 15th Apr 26 The Secretary of State exercised powers under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to immediately revoke the statutory instrument imposing emergency flying restrictions over a Leicestershire area because the emergency ceased to exist. View
  • 15th Apr 26 The Regulations amended core CfD legislation to introduce flexible Sustainable Industry Reward budgets, adjust application window timelines, define processes for financial standard compliance, and update required contractual statements. View
  • 15th Apr 26 The legislation restricted unmanned aircraft flights below 1,400 feet in the Firth of Forth area between April 19th and April 24th, 2026, due to Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier operations. View
  • 14th Apr 26 The regulations amended the National Insurance Contributions framework for 2024/25 by revising Class 2 and Class 4 contribution rates and thresholds for self-employed individuals. View
  • 14th Apr 26 Consolidated and updated key legislative provisions governing discipline, service complaints, and conditions of service for the UK armed forces. View
  • 14th Apr 26 The regulations brought specified sections of the Sentencing Act 2026 into force across the UK on May 11, 2026, and June 1, 2026, affecting prison capacity reporting, community sentence completion, and licence termination for public protection sentences. View
  • 14th Apr 26 The Secretary of State revoked the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Brize Norton) Regulations 2026, immediately ending specified flight limitations over RAF Brize Norton. View
  • 14th Apr 26 The Order amended the procedural regulations governing how local planning authorities in England process, consult on, and determine applications for development management permission. View
  • 14th Apr 26 The Act established the new State Pension structure, modified State Pension deferral rules, and made amendments concerning automatic enrolment and pension entitlements upon relationship breakdown. View
  • 14th Apr 26 Corrected two typographical errors in The Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026 regarding the terms 'principle'/'principal' and the place name 'Reis'/'Regis'. View
  • 13th Apr 26 * The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dinas Powys, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 were revoked, immediately lifting emergency flight restrictions over the specified area. View
  • 10th Apr 26 Regulations immediately restricted unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet over a specified area in Dinas Powys, Wales, due to an emergency. View
  • 9th Apr 26 The regulations amended provisions within the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, and Employment and Support Allowance frameworks to exclude work and voluntary activities from being considered reasons for fresh benefit determinations or reassessments. View
  • 9th Apr 26 The Office for Students revoked the 2022 and 2025 Orders granting degree awarding powers to Spurgeon's College because the institution ceased to be a registered higher education provider. View
  • 8th Apr 26 The Rules amended the 2013 Tribunal Procedure for the Property Chamber to incorporate jurisdiction under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and adjusted provisions related to costs orders for Housing Act 1988 financial penalty appeals. View
  • 7th Apr 26 A correction notice was issued for The Mental Health Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026, amending a referencing error in a footnote. View
  • 1st Apr 26 Enacted provisions expanding police powers regarding protests, public order offenses, and stop and search; concurrently made procedural changes affecting certain aspects of sentencing and the courts. View
  • 1st Apr 26 The Order amended the Financial Promotion Order 2005, modifying regulations governing the promotion of financial services and investments within the UK. View
  • 1st Apr 26 Two statutory instruments officially brought specific sections of the Mental Health Act 2025 into force on April 6th, 2026, covering human rights application to private providers and mandating a review of notification procedures for young inpatients in England. View
  • 1st Apr 26 Corrected three instances of 'The Secretary' to read 'The Secretary of State' within Regulation 63A of the inserted provisions of The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. View

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Drax, North Yorkshire) Regulations 2026

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Drax, North Yorkshire) Regulations 2026 enact time-limited restrictions on the operation of unmanned aircraft within a specific geographic area around Drax, North Yorkshire, between 0600 hours on April 27th, 2026, and 2259 hours on May 3rd, 2026, forbidding flights below 1,200 feet above mean sea level unless explicit permission is granted by the North Yorkshire Police Drone Team, citing public interest, safety, and security concerns related to a large intended gathering.

The National Employment Savings Trust (Amendment) Order 2026

Published: Fri 24th Apr 26

This Statutory Instrument, the National Employment Savings Trust (Amendment) Order 2026, amends the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010 to introduce greater flexibility in how pension benefits are paid from the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST).

The Order empowers the Trustee to offer members the option of receiving a drawdown pension and modifies benefit payment options upon a member's death to allow for a dependants' scheme pension or a drawdown pension paid to a dependant, nominee, or successor, incorporating terminology defined in the Finance Act 2004.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 4) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 24th Apr 26

These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State using powers under the Air Navigation Order 2016, impose temporary flight restrictions on aircraft flying below specified altitudes (between 1,500 and 4,000 feet above mean sea level) within eleven distinct geographical areas across parts of North West and South West England and surrounding areas on April 24, 2026, between 11:45 and 14:15 UTC. The restrictions are enacted in the public interest to accommodate an intended helicopter flight and include specific exemptions for certain air traffic control units, emergency services, and scheduled movements at specified airports.

The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2026

Published: Thu 23rd Apr 26

The Veterans’ and Families’ Livelihoods (Support by the Crown) Bill [HL] establishes a legal framework that obligates the Crown to secure support for veterans of the armed forces and their immediate families, aiming to regularize and ensure the provision of welfare assistance following service.

The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 23rd Apr 26

This Order enacts specific, outstanding sections of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, bringing them into immediate legal effect on 15th February 2010, while simultaneously introducing saving provisions to maintain the operation of previous legal frameworks where necessary to prevent disruption during the transition to the new legislation.

The Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026

These Regulations set out the administrative and procedural rules necessary for the permitting system established by the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 to operate concerning automated passenger services across England, Wales, and Scotland.

They specify that permits can last a maximum of five years, detail the renewal application window and continuation of service during review, and define the circumstances and procedures under which the Secretary of State can vary, suspend, or withdraw a permit, either with or without the holder's consent.

Furthermore, the rules establish an internal review process for adverse decisions and authorize the regulated disclosure and use of operational and safety information by permit holders to various public bodies.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Glasgow Green) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 23rd Apr 26

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Glasgow Green) Regulations 2026 establish a temporary prohibition on the flying of unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level over a specified area around Glasgow Green, Scotland, spanning from June 19th to June 21st, 2026, to ensure public safety and security during the TRNSMT Music Festival, with exemptions only for aircraft operated by or specifically permitted by Police Scotland.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gateshead) Regulations 2026

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gateshead) Regulations 2026 impose temporary, emergency flight restrictions over a specific area in Gateshead, effective from April 24th to April 26th, 2026, prohibiting aircraft from flying below 1,800 feet above mean sea level due to essential public safety reasons concerning a scheduled multi-agency operation.