UK New Legislation

Scotland Hospitality and Music Rates Relief Regulations 2026

The Scottish Ministers have introduced the Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, effective March 31, 2026. These regulations provide a 40% relief on business rates for eligible hospitality and music venues with a rateable value of £100,000 or less.

UK Paternity Leave Rules Amended for Overseas Adoptions

The UK government has issued the Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Adoptions from Overseas) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, amending rules regarding paternity leave for overseas adoptions. These regulations come into force on March 10, 2026.

ADR Regulations Conferring Functions on CTSI under 2024 Act

The UK Secretary of State has issued the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Conferral of Functions) Regulations 2026. These regulations, effective April 6, 2026, confer specific functions related to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approval, accreditation, and enforcement onto the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

Appointment of Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills Order 2026

The UK Privy Council has issued the Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills Order 2026, appointing individuals to these inspector roles. The order, made on March 10, 2026, and effective March 11, 2026, lists the names of the newly appointed inspectors.

Northern Ireland Small Business Rate Relief Extended

The Department of Finance in Northern Ireland has amended the Rates (Small Business Hereditament Relief) Regulations 2010. This amendment extends the small business rate relief scheme by substituting the end of the qualifying year from April 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027.

Social Security and Statutory Maternity Pay (Evidence of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Department for Communities has amended the Social Security and Statutory Maternity Pay (Evidence of Pregnancy) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, effective April 1, 2026. These amendments remove the requirement for maternity certificates to be completed in ink or other indelible substance, allowing for non-original copies to be submitted as evidence.

Welsh Language and Education Act 2025 Commencement Order

The Welsh Ministers have issued the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional and Transitory Provision) Order 2026. This order brings various provisions of the 2025 Act into force on April 1, 2026, and August 1, 2027, relating to Welsh language speakers, standards, education, and a national framework.

Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

The UK Treasury and Secretary of State have issued the Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2026. These regulations amend existing customs legislation, primarily updating tariff versions and definitions. The majority of the provisions come into force on April 1, 2026.

NHS Dental Regulations Amendment 2026

The National Health Service (Primary Dental Services and Dental Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 amend existing NHS dental regulations in England and Wales. Key changes include revised definitions for 'complete' and 'urgent treatment', and the introduction of new terms related to fluoride varnish treatments and contract values. These regulations come into force on April 1, 2026.

Child Trust Funds (Amendment) Regulations 2026

The UK Treasury has issued the Child Trust Funds (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective April 6, 2026. These regulations amend the 2004 regulations to restrict UK cryptoasset exchange traded notes from being qualifying investments in Child Trust Funds, with exceptions for existing holdings.