UK New Legislation

Merchant Shipping Order Increases Borrowing Limit to £166 Million

The UK Secretary of State for Transport, with Treasury approval, has issued the Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse Authorities) (Increase of Borrowing Limit) Order 2026. This order increases the aggregate borrowing limit for general lighthouse authorities from £133 million to £166 million, effective March 31, 2026.

Health and Safety Act Application Outside Great Britain Variation Order 2026

The UK government has issued the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2026. This order amends the 2013 Order to include structures used for hydrogen production within the definition of offshore installations subject to health and safety regulations.

CCUS and Offshore Hydrogen Production Regulations Amendments

The UK Secretary of State has issued the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026, effective April 6, 2026. These regulations amend the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 to introduce new definitions and clarify existing ones related to carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and offshore hydrogen production.

Online Safety Act 2023 Commencement Regulations (CSEA Content)

The UK Secretary of State has issued the Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026, bringing into force provisions related to the reporting of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) content. These regulations apply to regulated user-to-user services and establish an offence in relation to CSEA reporting, effective April 7, 2026.

Surrey Structural Changes Order 2026

The Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026, made on March 9, 2026, establishes two new local government councils in Surrey, England. This order implements a proposal for a single tier of local government for the county, consolidating existing district councils.

Discretionary Housing Payments Amendment and Revocation Regulations 2026

The UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has issued the Discretionary Financial Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026, effective April 1, 2026. These regulations amend existing provisions and revoke several previous orders and regulations concerning housing payments in England and Wales.

Northern Ireland Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2026

The Department of Finance has issued the Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order (Northern Ireland) 2026, effective April 1, 2026. The order specifies revaluation increases for pensionable earnings for the period ending March 31, 2026, with a 3.8% increase for prices and a 4.8% increase for earnings.

Air Navigation (Falkirk, Scotland) Emergency Revocation Regulations 2026

The UK government has issued the Air Navigation (Falkirk, Scotland) Emergency Revocation Regulations 2026, which revoke previous air navigation regulations specific to Falkirk, Scotland. This action is effective from January 1, 2026.

Social Security Order Modifies Acts for India Contributions Agreement

The UK Government has issued the Social Security (Contributions) (Republic of India) Order 2026, modifying relevant UK legislation to give effect to a new Social Security Agreement with India. This agreement aims to coordinate social security contributions between the two countries.

Police Pensions (Member Contributions) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026

The UK Secretary of State has issued the Police Pensions (Member Contributions) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2026, effective April 1, 2026. These regulations amend the Police Pensions Regulations 2015, specifically altering provisions related to member contributions and pensionable earnings for police officers in England and Wales.