Muon Technical De-risking Programme Contract Modification - £240,000
The UK National Nuclear Laboratory has issued a contract change notice under the Procurement Act 2023 for the Muon Technical De-risking Programme. The contract with Lynkeos Technology Limited has been modified with the value increasing from £187,995.77 (excluding VAT) to £240,000 (including VAT), representing a 6.39% increase above the relevant procurement threshold. The modification, effective 19 February 2026, provides for additional goods and services beyond the original project work packages.
Five New UK Trade Mark Opposition and Invalidity Decisions Published
UKIPO published five new trade mark opposition and invalidity decisions on 7-8 April 2026. The decisions include two Frasers Group matters covering 22 trademarks (invalidity and opposition), a biofirefuel figurative mark opposition, a Scotland's Golf Coast invalidity decision, and a Dreamzie trademark opposition. Decision references O/0301/26 through O/0305/26 are listed with corresponding hearing officers and application numbers.
Central Bedfordshire Council Awards Fire Safety Works Contract to Sureserve Compliance Fire
Central Bedfordshire Council has awarded a fire safety remedial works contract to Sureserve Compliance Fire Ltd. The contract is valued at £325,687.82 excluding VAT (£390,825.38 including VAT), covering works from 12 April 2026 to 11 September 2026 (approximately 5 months). The contract was awarded via an approved procurement waiver without competition as it falls below the relevant threshold.
Olezarsen (Tryngolza) Approved for Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome
The MHRA has approved olezarsen (Tryngolza) for the treatment of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) in adults. The approval was granted on 10 April 2026 to Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) via IRP Route B. In a study of 66 adults, patients treated with Tryngolza showed an average 32% reduction in triglycerides after 6 months, compared with a 12% average increase in the placebo group, with benefits maintained and further improved after one year.
Real Domestic Effects of Banks' Cross-Border Lending
The Bank of England published Staff Working Paper No. 1,179 examining whether domestic banking sectors that engage in more cross-border lending benefit domestic productivity. Using cross-country and firm-level panel data across European economies and UK-specific data, the research finds that higher internationalisation of the domestic banking system is associated with improved domestic productivity. The effect is stronger when banks lend to firms in foreign advanced economies and is more pronounced during early phases of new banking relationships. In contrast, inflow of lending from foreign banks does not result in productivity improvements for the domestic real economy.
Weekly Report: Reserves 650,510, 8th April 2026
Bank of England published its weekly balance sheet report dated 8 April 2026. Reserves balances stood at £650,510 million, up from £645,085 million on 1 April 2026. Short-term repo operations increased to £100,301 million from £97,441 million week-on-week.
Economic Crime Levy Insolvency Guidance for Practitioners
HMRC published guidance for insolvency practitioners on procedures when an entity liable for the Economic Crime Levy becomes insolvent. The guidance directs practitioners to follow specific reporting procedures to HMRC and provides a link to detailed instructions on GOV.UK. This affects insolvency practitioners handling cases involving entities registered for the Economic Crime Levy.
Economic Crime Levy Insolvency Process for Insolvency Practitioners
HMRC has published Insolvency Practitioner Bulletin 1 (2026) establishing a new digital process for submitting Economic Crime Levy returns and deregistering entities when businesses become insolvent. The bulletin provides guidance specifically for insolvency practitioners on complying with Economic Crime Levy obligations through HMRC's online services. The guidance was published on 10 April 2026.
Set Up a Limited Company Step by Step Guide
HMRC published a step-by-step guide on gov.uk explaining how to set up a limited company in the UK. The 10-step guide covers choosing a company type, appointing directors and shareholders or guarantors, identifying People with Significant Control (PSC), preparing formation documents, and registering with Companies House. The guidance is informational and does not create new legal obligations.
Cancel Economic Crime Levy Registration After Insolvency
HMRC published guidance enabling insolvency practitioners to cancel Economic Crime Levy registrations for entities that have become insolvent. The guidance applies to trustees in bankruptcy, liquidators, and administrators. The online process requires specific entity details, and HMRC states it will process forms within 28 working days.
Ready, Steady, File! HMRC Newsletter Edition 4
HMRC has published the fourth and final edition of its 'Ready, Steady, File!' newsletter for participants of the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax 2025 testing programme. The newsletter provides updates on latest news, resources, and milestones in the beta testing journey. This edition marks the conclusion of the testing programme newsletter series.