Policy & Government Affairs

Justice Reform Act Commencement Date Amendment

The UK government has issued amendment regulations to change the commencement date for the Justice Reform Act. These regulations, effective March 1, 2026, alter when specific provisions of the Act will come into force.

Universal Credit and ESA Rates Amendment Regulations 2026

The UK government has issued the Universal Credit and ESA Rates Amendment Regulations 2026, which will come into force on April 6, 2026. These regulations amend the rates of Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance.

Tribunal Rules Amended

The UK government has amended the Tribunal Rules, introducing changes to time limits for case submissions and altering case allocation procedures. These amendments are intended to streamline tribunal processes and ensure more efficient case management across various tribunals.

Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 2026: Appeal Time Limits Clarified

The UK government has issued the Employment Appeal Tribunal Rules 2026, which clarify the time limits for lodging appeals. These rules aim to provide greater certainty for parties involved in employment tribunal proceedings.

Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (NI) 2026 Amendment

The UK Government has amended the Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (NI) effective January 1, 2026. This amendment introduces changes to the pension regulations for health and social care workers in Northern Ireland.

Ofcom Investigates BT and Three for Mobile Network Outages

Ofcom has launched investigations into BT and Three following mobile network outages in summer 2025 that disrupted UK-wide mobile call services, including emergency calls. The investigations will assess whether the companies complied with their regulatory obligations regarding network availability and reporting.

Ofcom Fines File-Sharing Service £20,000 for Non-Compliance

Ofcom has fined a file-sharing service £20,000 and imposed a daily penalty for failing to respond to legally binding information requests regarding child sexual abuse material. This action is part of Ofcom's enforcement of the UK's Online Safety Act.

Ofcom Investigates X Over Grok Sexualised Imagery

Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into X (formerly Twitter) concerning allegations that its Grok AI chatbot was used to create and share sexualised imagery, including child sexual abuse material. The investigation will determine if X has complied with its duties under the UK's Online Safety Act to protect users from illegal content and harm.

Ofcom Investigates AI Chatbot for Age Check Non-Compliance

Ofcom has opened an investigation into Novi Ltd, which provides an AI companion chatbot service, for potential non-compliance with age check requirements under the UK's Online Safety Act. This action is part of Ofcom's ongoing efforts to enforce online safety regulations and protect children.

Ofcom Investigates X Over Grok AI and Online Safety Act Scope

Ofcom has launched an investigation into X regarding the spread of demeaning sexual deepfakes created by the Grok AI chatbot. The regulator is also clarifying the limitations of the UK's Online Safety Act in regulating AI chatbots, noting that not all AI chatbots are covered by the current legislation.