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Form VO BR26 Self-Catering Lets Wales Compliance

The Valuation Office Agency has published guidance on completing Form VO BR26, a compliance check for self-catering holiday lets in Wales. Property owners selected by the VOA must confirm eligibility to pay business rates rather than council tax. The form must be returned within 56 days or the property may be reclassified to council tax, with a £100 penalty under Schedule 9 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

Business Rates Guidance for Wales Self-Catering Properties

The Valuation Office Agency updated guidance on business rates eligibility for self-catering properties in Wales. From 1 April 2026, properties must be available to let for 252 nights and actually let for 182 nights within the prior 12 months. The update adds provisions allowing property owners to use an average of 182 nights let across 24 or 36 months, and to include up to 14 nights per year donated to registered charity.

Land Compensation Manual, Compulsory Purchase

The Valuation Office Agency has published its Land Compensation Manual covering compulsory purchase and compensation matters. The manual was originally published on 15 October 2018 and last updated 10 April 2026. The guidance comprises 13 sections covering topics from general compulsory purchase principles to specialised areas including agricultural interests, minerals, and loss payments.

2026 Business Rates Revaluation Guidance

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has published guidance on the 2026 business rates revaluation for properties in England and Wales. The revaluation uses a valuation date of 1 April 2024, with new rateable values taking effect on 1 April 2026. Property owners can view their rateable values, compare with similar properties, and challenge valuations they believe are incorrect through the VOA's online business rates valuation account.

Apply for Business Rates for a Self-Catering Property in England

The Valuation Office Agency has published guidance for property owners in England on applying for business rates on self-catering holiday lets. To qualify, properties must have been available for commercial letting for 140 nights and actually let for 70 nights within a 12-month period. The guidance includes eligibility criteria, restrictions on which nights can be counted, application form instructions, and submission details via email or post to Durham.

UK Defence in Germany - Information Notes

The Germany Enabling Office (GEO) published updated information notes for UK Defence personnel in Germany covering NATO SOFA obligations, immigration, spousal employment, and tax matters. The page was updated on 3 December 2025 with two new documents added: Removal of Entry Exit System EES Record and Personal Imports to the UK. Two expired documents were removed. These information notes support UK military operations under NATO Status of Forces Agreement obligations in Germany.

Slurry Infrastructure Grant Round 2 Guidance for Invited Applicants

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) published guidance for invited applicants for Round 2 of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant in England. The grant helps farmers of pigs, beef or dairy cattle improve or expand slurry storage capacity to meet 6-month (beef/dairy cattle) or 8-month (pigs) storage requirements. Grant values range from £25,000 to £250,000, with a deadline of 11.59pm on 30 September 2024 for the slurry store location and design assessment form.

Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 Guidance for Invited Applicants

The Rural Payments Agency and Defra published guidance for round 1 of the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant, available only to invited applicants. The grant provides £5,000 to £500,000 for commercial egg producers and pullet rearers to upgrade or replace laying hen or pullet housing, or add verandas to improve animal health and welfare. Applications must be submitted by 28 April 2026.

Grants and Funding Schemes for Farmers, Growers and Land Managers

The Rural Payments Agency, Defra, and Forestry Commission publish guidance on grants and funding schemes for farmers, growers, and land managers in England. The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme is currently closed with two application windows opening in 2026. The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) opens in September 2025 by invitation only. Eligible applicants may apply for environmental land management scheme funding to support sustainable farming practices.

Contact Details for Court-Approved Panel Deputies, West England

The UK Office of the Public Guardian published an updated directory of 19 court-approved panel deputies operating in the west of England region, covering Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset, and Wiltshire. The guidance provides contact details including names, firm names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for each listed deputy. The directory applies to England and Wales.

Court-Approved Panel Deputies in North East England

The Office of the Public Guardian published contact details for court-approved panel deputies working across Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Yorkshire. Panel deputies are court-appointed professionals who make welfare, financial, or healthcare decisions for individuals lacking mental capacity. The updated list includes 19 named deputies and trust corporations from various law firms across the region.

Contact Details for Court-Approved Panel Deputies

The UK Office of the Public Guardian published updated contact details for court-approved panel deputies working in the south east of England. The list includes 18 named deputies and their firm contact information (email addresses and telephone numbers) for professionals authorised to act as deputies under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Court-Approved Panel Deputy Contact Details, North England

The UK Office of the Public Guardian published contact details for court-approved panel deputies operating in the north of England region, covering Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. The directory lists 20+ professional deputies including solicitors and trust corporations with their firm names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers. This is an informational update to the previously published January 2026 version.

OPG Family Care Payments Guidance for Court of Protection Deputies

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has published guidance (SD14) on family care payments, also known as gratuitous care payments. This guidance sets out the legal framework and factors Court of Protection deputies should consider when deciding on the level of such payments. The guidance applies to England and Wales and was updated in March/April 2026.

Legislative Drafting: A Fictional Example

The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel published a fictional example illustrating its legislative drafting practice. The document shows how drafters translate government policy into legal language and subject policy to rigorous analysis to ensure provisions achieve their aims coherently. The example includes drafting instructions, an initial clause attempt, and a covering note demonstrating the iterative process between drafter and department.

Common Legislative Solutions: Guide to Tackling Recurring Policy Issues in Legislation

The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has published updated guidance titled 'Common Legislative Solutions' to help government officials address recurring policy issues through commonly adopted legislative approaches. The guidance, produced with input from UK legislative drafting offices, identifies common policy problems and analyses possible legislative solutions. The document was last updated on 23 December 2025 with a new version of the guide.

OTS Review Identifies Drivers of UK Tax Complexity

The Office of Tax Simplification published a review commissioned by the previous Chancellor and Financial Minister, identifying drivers of tax complexity in the UK. The review provides guidance for officials making tax policy on ways to prevent or mitigate tax complexity. The OTS reaffirms its focus on individuals and small businesses as those who need tax simplicity most.

Service Pupil Premium Guidance for Service Personnel with Children in State Schools

The Ministry of Defence and Department for Education have updated the Service Pupil Premium (SPP) guidance for the 2026 to 2027 financial year. The updated documents include 'Service pupil premium: what you need to know' and 'Service pupil premium: further information'. Service personnel with children in state schools must notify the school of their eligibility for the SPP.

UK Military Low Flying Exercises: Fast Jets, Rotary, Transport Aircraft

The UK Ministry of Defence published guidance on MOD sponsored low flying exercises within the UK low flying system, covering fast jets, rotary, and transport aircraft operations. The document links to weekly exercise schedules through April 2026. This is informational content for public awareness of military training activities with no compliance obligations.

Extended Operating Hours for UK Air Weapons Ranges

The MOD has published updated guidance on extended operating hours for UK Air Weapons Ranges (AWRs) including Donna Nook, Holbeach, Pembrey Sands, Tain, and Cape Wrath. The guidance notes that when an AWR is closed, the segregated airspace reverts from Danger Area status to Class G airspace, making it freely available to all airspace users. Additional out-of-hours activity notifications have been added for Holbeach, Donna Nook, and Tain ranges in 2026.

Appeal Against a Penalty Charge Notice (England and Wales)

The UK Government provides guidance on appealing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in England and Wales. Individuals who receive a PCN for parking, moving traffic contraventions, or failure to pay road charges (including Dartford Crossing and London congestion charges) may appeal to an independent tribunal if their initial formal challenge is rejected. The document specifies that appellants must wait for the outcome of their formal challenge and has 28 days from receiving a notice of rejection to lodge an appeal with the appropriate tribunal.

Part I Claim If Road Reduces Property Value

Highways England provides guidance on Part I claims under the Highways Act 1980, allowing property owners to seek compensation when their property's value decreases due to pollution or disturbance from a new or altered road. Claims may be submitted 1 year after the road opens to traffic. Property owners can file claims independently or through an agent such as a professional property valuer or claims company.

Signing Guidance for Motorway Service Areas England

Highways England updated its roadside facilities signing guidance on 22 October 2025 to include new provisions for signing Electric Vehicle Recharging hubs on all-purpose trunk roads. The guidance covers sign design, erection, maintenance, and funding arrangements for motorway service areas and other roadside facilities on England's strategic road network.

Privacy Notice for Leadership College for Government - UK GDPR Data Rights

The Government Skills and Curriculum Unit and Leadership College for Government updated their Privacy Notice on 7 February 2025. The revision modified the bullet point list in the Purpose section. The notice explains how personal data will be used and outlines data subject rights under UK GDPR Articles 13 and 14.

Virtual Visits Toolkit for Complex Policy Understanding

The UK Government Skills and Curriculum Unit, Leadership College for Government, and Policy Profession published a Virtual Visits Toolkit on 9 December 2022. The toolkit provides guidance for senior leaders and their teams on using video conferencing technology to conduct virtual visits that help remote attendees understand complex policies and the people affected by them. The guidance covers the stages from concept to implementation of virtual visits.

Routes for Academic Engagement with Government Science

The UK Government Office for Science has updated guidance on pathways for academic engagement with government science systems. The guidance covers STEM apprenticeships, exchange schemes, advisory groups and networks of experts, and government careers for scientists and engineers at all career stages.

Nominations Open for Geography in Government (GiG) Awards 2025

The Government Geography Profession has opened nominations for its annual Geography in Government (GiG) Awards 2025, celebrating outstanding geographic work across civil, crown, and public sector organisations. The awards feature seven categories spanning impact, innovation, partnership, and sustainability, with category winners to be reviewed by an external panel for the overall award presented at the Royal Geographical Society Awards Ceremony. Nominations are open to GGP members only; submissions closed on the date specified on the member portal.

Career Framework for Government Geographers

The Government Geography Profession published a career framework defining professional roles for geographers in UK civil service and public sector. The framework establishes four primary roles: Geographic Analysts, Geospatial Information Specialists, Geographic Advisors, and Geographic Technologists. The document also references multi-disciplinary geographers with geography as a secondary profession.

Gender Recognition Certificate: List of Medical Practitioners in Gender Dysphoria

HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Government Equalities Office publish guidance listing doctors and psychologists specialising in gender dysphoria who can provide medical reports for Gender Recognition Certificate applications. Doctors must be GMC-registered with a licence to practice; psychologists must be HCPC-registered. The list is updated regularly with additions and removals of specialists.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting Guidance for Employers

The UK Government Equalities Office and Women and Equalities Unit have updated their statutory gender pay gap reporting guidance, with the most recent revision on 7 April 2026. The update includes new guidance linking to action plan requirements for employers with over 250 employees, updated content on recruiting and promoting staff, and a review notice on recording employee gender. Employers in England, Scotland and Wales with 250 or more employees must report their gender pay gap data annually.

Agent Update Issue 142 for Tax Advisers

HMRC published Issue 142 of its Agent Update guidance publication for tax agents and advisers. The update provides guidance and news on tax-related matters. Recipients can sign up for email notifications about future editions of the agent update.

AML Training Resources for Art Market Participants and Estate Agencies

HMRC has published AML communication training resources including video films and discussion notes for art market participants and estate agencies. The materials include 'Framed' (art market) and 'Closing costs' (estate agency) training films with supporting discussion notes. The resources are designed to help supervised businesses train staff on their anti-money laundering responsibilities under the Money Laundering Regulations.

Challenging Assumption-Based Design Guidance for Social Researchers

The Government Data Quality Hub (DQHub) has published guidance including posters and accompanying materials to help social researchers identify, challenge, and reframe assumption-based statements during product and service design. The guidance introduces 'red flag' and 'green flag' statements to distinguish between decisions based on opinion versus evidence. The materials promote user-centred and respondent-centred design approaches to improve data quality and fitness-for-purpose from the outset.

Framework for Interrogation of Honey Authenticity Databases

The Government Chemist, commissioned under Defra's Food Authenticity Programme, has published a framework enabling independent scrutiny of honey authenticity databases. The framework was developed by an independent expert group led by Professor Michael Walker and Dr David Hoyland, jointly funded by the Government Chemist and Defra. It provides guidance on evaluating database scope, composition, metadata, representativity, and method validation for authenticity testing databases used in honey fraud detection.

The AQuA Book: Government Guidance for Analytical Quality Assurance (2025)

The UK Government Analysis Function published the revised AQuA Book on 30 July 2025, updating its guidance on producing robust, fit for purpose analysis for government decision-making. The 2025 edition updates the previous 2015 version by adding guidance on AI and black box systems, multi-use models, third party collaboration, and publishing models. The guidance applies to all analysts, analytical managers, and commissioners across UK government.

GovS 010: Analysis Standard for Government Decision Making

The Government Analysis Function published version 2.2 of GovS 010, Analysis Standard, replacing version 2.1 from July 2023. The updated standard addresses user feedback and aligns with other functional standards, introducing better cross-referencing, a new collaborative working clause, and other minor improvements. The standard sets expectations for planning and undertaking analysis to support well-informed government decision making.

Spruce Site Assessment Grant Reopens for England Landowners 2026/27

The Forestry Commission has amended guidance for the Spruce Site Assessment (SSA) grant following the program's reopening for 2026/27. The SSA grant supports landowners and land managers in England with spruce trees in the Ips typographus Proactive Spruce Removal Area. Updated terms and conditions and revised application guidance have been published.

Non-compliant Wood Packaging Material Interception Guidance

The Forestry Commission published an infographic illustrating the top GB ports where non-compliant solid wood packaging material has been intercepted, covering the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The infographic identifies associated international trading supply regions linked to non-compliant interceptions. This guidance updates previously published infographics covering 2022 to 2024 periods.

Rapid Flood Guidance Service 2025: User Guide

The Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC) has published the user guide for the Rapid Flood Guidance (RFG) service returning for summer 2025. The service provides short-notice updates for England and Wales to supplement the Flood Guidance Statement for rapid flooding events expected within 0-3 hours. The 2025 service runs from 2 June to 17 October 2025 and includes improvements such as local authority-level sign-up options, clearer mapping, and a more reliable SMS service based on 2024 trial feedback.

Flood Outlook Signup and Usage Guide

The Flood Forecasting Centre published guidance on 19 March 2026 explaining how to sign up for and use the Flood Outlook service. The guidance applies to England and Wales and is intended for the UK and Welsh governments, category 1 and 2 responders, and the wider responder community.

Guide for Civil Servants on Policy Evaluation

The UK Evaluation Task Force published guidance for civil servants on incorporating evaluation into the policymaking process. The guidance, updated October 2025, provides a framework for assessing whether government interventions achieve their intended outcomes. It addresses policy evaluation methodology including Theory of Change development, pilot programmes, and Randomised Controlled Trials. The guidance applies to policymakers, evaluators, social researchers, commissioners, and analysts across government.

Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel Role and Membership

The UK Evaluation Task Force has published updated guidance on the Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel (ETAP), including the March 2026 member list. ETAP provides free evaluation and experimentation advice to civil servants, local government, and What Works Centres across various policy areas including education, transport, employment, and crime.

Learner Entry Tool for ILR File Setup Guidance

The Department for Education (DfE) updated guidance on the Learner Entry Tool for Individualised Learner Record (ILR) file setup. The tool helps smaller further education providers (with up to 500 learners) format and submit ILR data correctly. Version 2025 to 2026 documents were added, including known issues and user guide. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025, with activity transferred to DfE.

DfE Post-16 Funding Assurance Process for Education Providers

The Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) published guidance on post-16 funding assurance processes for further education and apprenticeship providers in England. The guidance outlines what providers can expect if selected for audit, provides step-by-step evidence collection processes, and details internal controls providers should maintain. ESFA closed on 31 March 2025, with all activity transferred to DfE, though providers must continue following this guidance.

Funding Higher Risk Organisations and Subcontractors Policy

The Department for Education (DfE) has published policy on identifying and managing 'high risk' education providers accessing post-16 funding streams. The policy defines risk criteria, the decision-making process, and possible funding actions DfE may take. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025, with all activity transferred to DfE. The policy was most recently updated on 10 February 2026 to expand risk identification criteria and clarify applicability.

Schools Income and Expenditure Reporting Framework

The Department for Education (DfE) publishes guidance on the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) framework for maintained schools and pupil referral units in England. The framework provides standard templates for schools to collect and report income and expenditure data by financial year. Schools must submit financial statements to their local authorities using approved headings under The Consistent Financial Reporting (England) Regulations 2012. Annual frameworks are published for 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school years.

16 to 19 Funding Rates and Formula Guidance Updated for 2025-2026 Academic Year

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has updated its 16 to 19 funding rates and formula guidance for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. The latest guidance covers the period 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026. ESFA notes it closed on 31 March 2025 with all activity transferred to the Department for Education. Updated documents include increased rates and programme cost weightings, as well as new T Level funding rates.

Find DVSA Earned Recognition Auditors for Vehicle Operators

DVSA published guidance for vehicle operators on finding authorized auditors to join the DVSA earned recognition scheme. The scheme requires systems and process audits upon joining and every 2 years thereafter. The document contains contact details for multiple authorized audit providers who set their own fees.

Inspection Manual for Motorcycle MOT Tests

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published the Inspection Manual for Motorcycle MOT Tests, providing inspection processes and rules for motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and motorcycle combinations (class 1 and 2 vehicles). The manual applies to England, Scotland and Wales and covers sections including brakes, steering, lamps, wheels, tyres, suspension, structure, audible warning and exhaust noise.

Get Approved to Provide Dangerous Goods ADR Driver Training

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published guidance for organisations seeking approval to provide dangerous goods (ADR) driver training. The guidance covers the application process, required training programme standards, fees, and scope of approval. Organisations must apply, pay the application fee, and meet DVSA requirements to become approved training providers. Affected parties must decide on their training delivery method (classroom or remote), verify they meet all requirements, submit their application, and await approval before conducting any ADR driver training courses. Approved providers can set their own pricing and offer initial training, refresher courses, and specialised training for specific dangerous goods classes including tankers, explosives, and radioactive materials.