BEEDS UAT Environment for Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1

The Bank of England has made a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment available for statistical reporting firms and software houses to test Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1. This UAT window is open from March 30 to April 17, 2026, and is the final UAT before live submissions for end-May 2026 data.

Bank of England AI Roundtables Summary

The Bank of England published a summary of its AI roundtables held with regulated firms in February 2026. The discussions focused on the responsible adoption of AI and ML, with participants generally supporting the existing regulatory framework and not seeing an immediate need for new AI-specific guidance.

Bank of England: New Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation Appointed

The Bank of England has announced the appointment of Katharine Braddick as the next Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority, effective July 2026. This appointment follows a review of the PRA's existing initiatives to support lending and reduce business burdens.

UK Offices for Community and Common Transit Procedures

HM Revenue & Customs has updated the list of UK offices for Community and Common Transit procedures. The latest update on March 13, 2026, includes new data fields, removes non-live ports, and provides updated contact details for traders and customs officers.

HMRC List of Recognised Payroll Software

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published a list of payroll software recognised for PAYE reporting. The guidance includes both free and paid-for options, with specific recommendations for businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

Construction Industry Scheme Administration Improvements

HM Revenue & Customs is simplifying the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) administration, effective April 6, 2026. Key changes include exempting payments to local authorities and requiring nil returns when no subcontractors are paid.

UK VAT Number Service Availability and Issues Update

HM Revenue & Customs has updated guidance on the availability of the Check a UK VAT number online service. The latest update from March 13, 2026, confirms potential service disruptions for new VAT registrations between March 16-20, 2026.

HMRC Guidance on Genuine Contact Methods to Avoid Scams

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated guidance on genuine contact methods to help individuals and businesses identify scams. The update clarifies that HMRC may use multiple communication channels, such as letters followed by emails or calls, and lists specific research contacts from IFF Research and Ipsos.

EU Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence at India Summit

The European Union, represented by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, will attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation with India on AI governance and innovation. The visit aims to advance the EU's approach to AI, emphasizing trust, innovation, and international collaboration.

New Delhi Declaration on AI Endorsed by 92 Countries

92 countries and international organizations endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact at the AI Impact Summit 2026. The declaration outlines a shared global vision for collaborative, trusted, and resilient AI, structured around seven pillars of action and supported by voluntary global initiatives.