Economy Legislation
Regulations governing economic policy, monetary matters, taxation, public spending, and market regulation.
The Non-Domestic Rating (Designated Areas) Regulations 2025
The Non-Domestic Rating (Designated Areas) Regulations 2025 designate specific areas in England and Wales to retain a portion of their non-domestic rating income.
The regulations detail how to calculate this income and establish a baseline amount to determine the portion retained.
These calculations consider factors such as small and standard business rate multipliers and the aggregate rateable values of properties within designated areas.
The regulations also amend existing legislation to extend the designation of the Heart of the South West–Huntspill Energy Park designated area and specify the designation period (24-25 years) for all designated areas.
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2014 Electricity Capacity Regulations to improve the UK's Capacity Market.
Key changes include introducing 9-year capacity agreements for certain low-carbon generating units, clarifying eligibility criteria, and simplifying some administrative procedures.
These amendments seek to enhance the market's efficiency, promote low-carbon investment, and improve regulatory clarity.
Several subsections clarify existing ambiguities and align the regulations with ongoing updates to the Capacity Market Rules.
The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations Order of Council 2025
This Order of Council approves amendments to the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations 2014, increasing registration and retention fees by approximately 4%, effective April 1st, 2025.
The amendments, made by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, are detailed in the Schedule and replace Part 4 of the 2014 Regulations.
The previous regulations are revoked.
The Income and Corporation Taxes (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Income and Corporation Taxes (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective March 11, 2025, amend the 2003 Regulations.
Key changes include removing an outdated definition, broadening the regulations to encompass penalties under the Finance Act 2021, and adding new provisions specifying conditions for valid electronic information delivery.
These amendments aim to improve efficiency, clarify procedures, and modernize tax communication processes.
The Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme (Extension) Order 2025
The Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme (Extension) Order 2025 extends an existing pilot program testing mandated work requirements for employed Universal Credit claimants.
The extension, effective February 19, 2025, covers England, Wales, and Scotland, and continues the scheme for another twelve months.
The order leverages existing legislation and claims to have a non-significant impact, foregoing a full impact assessment.
This decision allows for continued data collection and evaluation of policy effectiveness.
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Green Energy Terminal) Order 2025
This Order grants development consent and authorises the construction, operation, and maintenance of a multi-user marine terminal at Immingham Port for importing and exporting bulk liquids.
It incorporates relevant provisions of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847, addresses street works, land acquisition (including compulsory purchase powers), and temporary land possession, outlining compensation procedures and protective measures for various stakeholders.
The order also includes stipulations for environmental management, decommissioning, and compliance with maritime regulations, along with detailed operational and general provisions.
The Community Radio Order 2025
The Community Radio Order 2025, effective April 1, 2025, consolidates and amends existing legislation governing community radio in the UK. It defines community radio services, focusing on their non-commercial, community-beneficial nature and the obligations on licensees, such as promoting social gain and accountability to the served community.
The order modifies relevant sections of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003, revokes previous related orders, and includes transitional provisions for existing licences.
The focus is on fostering participation from community members, and ensuring that services are provided primarily for social gain.
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025 revises the existing scheme for allocating policy development grants to UK political parties.
Effective March 6th, 2025, the order allocates £2 million annually, distributing funds among eligible parties based on a formula considering their representation in different UK regions’ electorates.
The Order replaces previous legislation relating to the same scheme and reflects the Electoral Commission’s recommendations, providing a foundation for transparent and equitable funding for policy development.
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025, effective March 31, 2025, establish exemptions to existing regulations regarding waste separation in England and Wales.
These exemptions permit the combined collection of certain recyclable waste streams (metal, glass, plastic) by English waste collection authorities.
Additionally, the regulations exempt micro-firms from certain waste collection requirements until March 31, 2027.
The regulations were drafted in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Airports Slot Allocation (Alleviation of Usage Requirements etc.) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 concerning airport slot allocation in the UK. Key changes include increasing the threshold for defining a 'new entrant' airline from five to seven slots and introducing a new provision for handling slot allocation adjustments during pandemics or similar public health emergencies.
The changes aim to improve fairness and resilience in the system while simplifying the regulatory framework.
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025
This Order implements significant changes to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), primarily splitting the 2026-2030 allocation period into two separate periods: a one-year 2026 allocation period and a four-year 2027-2030 allocation period.
It establishes new processes for free allocation of emissions allowances, modifies eligibility criteria for ultra-small emitters, enhances registry transparency requirements, and expands information sharing powers for climate change policy development.
The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations modify the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.
They mandate that employers claiming zero-rate secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions for employees working in designated freeports or investment zones must include the employee's workplace postcode (or an HMRC-provided alternative code) in their Full Payment Submission.
This aims to improve data collection and ensure compliance with existing legislation regarding tax relief in these specific zones.
The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2020 regulations to implement aspects of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Key changes include altering requirements for navigational equipment on various ship types to align with international standards.
Specific exemptions were granted to certain classes of ships, and the fee schedule was updated accordingly.
The regulations improve safety at sea by harmonizing UK legislation with international requirements.
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025 rectifies errors and omissions in the 2024 Development Consent Order.
Following requests from the applicant and an interested party, and in accordance with the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State made corrections detailed in a schedule.
The corrections encompass various articles and schedules of the original Order amending definitions, referencing, and documentation specifications.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective March 3, 2025, implement several sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 related to leaseholders' right to manage.
Specifically, they define non-residential limits on claims, detail cost allocation, ensure compliance with the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, prohibit initial High Court applications for tribunal matters, and restrict the recovery of certain costs.
The aim is to clarify, simplify, and streamline the right-to-manage process for leaseholders.