UK New Legislation

Renters' Rights Act 2025 Commencement Regulations for Scotland

The Scottish Ministers have issued the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, bringing into force key provisions related to discrimination in the rental market. These regulations, effective May 1, 2026, prohibit discrimination based on children or benefits status and address discriminatory terms in tenancies, securities, and insurance contracts.

Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 Amendment Regulations 2026

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 Amendment Regulations 2026 amend the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, modifying provisions related to required scheme content. These regulations come into force on April 1, 2026.

Higher Education Fee Limits (Wales) Regulations 2026

The Welsh Ministers have issued the Higher Education (Fee Limits) (Wales) Regulations 2026, setting maximum tuition fee limits for higher education courses in Wales. These regulations, effective March 1, 2026, establish specific fee caps for standard academic years, final years of courses, teacher training, sandwich courses, and overseas study periods.

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Act 2026 - Ticket Touting Prohibition

The UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Act 2026 prohibits the touting of tickets for the UEFA European Championship in Glasgow. The Act defines ticket touting as selling or offering to sell tickets for more than face value or with a view to profit, with specific exceptions for authorized sellers and charity auctions. The legislation received Royal Assent on February 27, 2026.

Ouse and Derwent Internal Drainage Board Reconstitution Order 2026

The UK Secretary of State has confirmed the reconstitution of the Ouse and Derwent Internal Drainage Board, effective February 27, 2026. The Board will now comprise 11 elected members, with the first members to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

Gender Recognition (Disclosure of Information) Order 2026

The UK Secretary of State has issued the Gender Recognition (Disclosure of Information) (England) Order 2026, effective March 20, 2026. This order permits authorized disclosure of protected information for a specific data linkage study related to gender identity services and revokes a previous order from 2022.

Northern Ireland Workers' Compensation Payment Regulations Amended

The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland has amended the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Regulations. These amendments will come into operation on April 1, 2026, and apply to new claims made on or after that date.

Scotland Introduces Land Tax Relief for Investment Zones

The Scottish Ministers have introduced the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Investment Zones Relief) (Scotland) Order 2026, effective February 26, 2026. This order modifies the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013 to provide relief for transactions related to land in designated investment zones.

Financial Services Act Exemption Amendment Order 2026

The UK Treasury has issued the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2026, effective March 27, 2026. This order amends the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) Order 2001 by adding several entities, including British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries, to the list of persons exempt from regulated activities.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 Commencement Regulations

The UK Treasury has issued regulations bringing into force specific provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. These regulations, effective January 1, 2027, revoke certain definitions within the EU's Capital Requirements Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 575/2013). This action is part of the UK's post-Brexit financial regulatory framework.