United Kingdom

BEEDS UAT Environment for Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1

The Bank of England has made a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment available for statistical reporting firms and software houses to test Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1. This UAT window is open from March 30 to April 17, 2026, and is the final UAT before live submissions for end-May 2026 data.

UK VAT Number Service Availability and Issues Update

HM Revenue & Customs has updated guidance on the availability of the Check a UK VAT number online service. The latest update from March 13, 2026, confirms potential service disruptions for new VAT registrations between March 16-20, 2026.

Construction Industry Scheme Administration Improvements

HM Revenue & Customs is simplifying the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) administration, effective April 6, 2026. Key changes include exempting payments to local authorities and requiring nil returns when no subcontractors are paid.

HMRC List of Recognised Payroll Software

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published a list of payroll software recognised for PAYE reporting. The guidance includes both free and paid-for options, with specific recommendations for businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

UK Offices for Community and Common Transit Procedures

HM Revenue & Customs has updated the list of UK offices for Community and Common Transit procedures. The latest update on March 13, 2026, includes new data fields, removes non-live ports, and provides updated contact details for traders and customs officers.

HMRC Guidance on Genuine Contact Methods to Avoid Scams

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated guidance on genuine contact methods to help individuals and businesses identify scams. The update clarifies that HMRC may use multiple communication channels, such as letters followed by emails or calls, and lists specific research contacts from IFF Research and Ipsos.

UK Sanctions List Search Tool

The UK government has launched a search tool for its Sanctions List, which details designated individuals, entities, and ships subject to UK sanctions. This tool aims to assist users in identifying sanctioned parties and understanding their obligations.

Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley to Step Down

Ofgem announced that Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Brearley will step down at the end of March 2026. Tim Jarvis will serve as Acting CEO during the transition period while a search for a permanent successor is initiated.

Energy Price Cap Reduction for Households

Ofgem announced that the energy price cap will fall by £117 (7%) for a typical household between April 1 and June 30, 2026. This reduction is attributed to the end of certain environmental and social scheme funding and a decrease in global wholesale energy prices, partially offset by increased network costs.

Middle East Conflict Impact on Energy Costs and Bills

Ofgem has issued a notice regarding the impact of the Middle East conflict on UK energy costs. The notice clarifies that while global markets are affected, consumers on standard variable tariffs are protected by the energy price cap until the end of June 2026.