Updates

Regulatory changes, rate updates and compliance news for UK businesses.

In focus

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026: what retailers need to do from 29 October 2026 and 1 January 2027

From 29 October 2026 it is an offence to sell any vape or nicotine product to under-18s, to give these products away or discount them heavily to promote them, and to have a vape or nicotine vending machine on your premises. From 1 January 2027 it is an offence to sell tobacco, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, and tobacco retailers must display a new age of sale notice. Retail licensing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has no start date yet.

Triggered by Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

Key date

Vaping products duty starts on 1 October 2026: what producers, importers and sellers must do

Part 4 of the Finance Act 2026 charges a new excise duty on vaping liquid produced in, or imported into, the UK from 1 October 2026, …

 News

Trade union workplace access: what employers must do from 30 October 2026

SI 2026/756 sets out, in law, exactly what an independent trade union must put in a workplace access request and what an employer must put in …

 Key date

Right to work checks extend to contractors and platform workers on 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, the duty to carry out a right to work check — and the civil penalty for getting it wrong — no longer …

 News

Employment tribunal time limits: what changes on 1 October 2026

Two statutory instruments made on 6 July 2026 extend the time limit for presenting certain employment tribunal complaints from three months to six months, with effect …

Earlier updates

August 2026

News Digital waste tracking becomes law in England from 1 October 2026 — for permitted sites only

July 2026

News Business rates: what the announced 20% discount for pubs, clubs and music venues means

June 2026

News Packaging EPR disposal fees become recyclability-based for 2026 to 2027: what producers will pay Round-up Summer 2026 environment and net-zero roundup: waste, development and CCUS News Martyn's Law: machinery provisions commenced — prepare now for duties expected no earlier than spring 2027 News New money laundering rules from 30 June 2026: what your firm must update News Fuel duty in 2026–27: rebate changes now in effect and step-ups to plan for News HHSRS reforms from 23 June 2026: what England's private landlords need to know News Winter Fuel Payment Charge: what employers need to know about revised PAYE codes from July 2026 Round-up Summer 2026 hospitality and leisure roundup: VAT relief, World Cup licensing, and Martyn's Law Round-up 2026 planning reform for developers: delegation, land control, and infrastructure fees Round-up Summer 2026 customs roundup: 50% steel duty, new penalties, and procedural reforms Analysis The proposed end of the Consumer Credit Act 1974: what the proposed move to FCA rules would mean for lenders, brokers and retailers

April 2026

News SIA licence training changes: new refresher qualifications and first aid requirements

March 2026

News Nearly 400 employers fined and named for minimum wage underpayment News Offshore safety rules now apply to carbon capture and hydrogen production Key date IPO fee increases from April 2026: what your business needs to know News Spring Statement 2026: what it means for your business

February 2026

News US imposes 15% global tariff under Section 122 — what UK exporters need to know Analysis What the US Section 122 tariff means for small UK exporters Worked example How a medium-sized West Midlands manufacturer is responding to the US 15% Section 122 tariff Key date Ofcom categorisation register: what platform operators need to know (July 2026) News HMRC withdraws free online Self Assessment filing for MTD-ITSA taxpayers Key date Online Safety Act fee notification: deadline 11 April 2026 News Defence Industrial Strategy 2025: what the SME procurement reforms mean for your business In focus Procurement Act 2023: new public contract rules now in force Round-up Q1 2026 agriculture roundup: inheritance tax changes, subsidy transition, and environmental regulation Worked example How a small family farm prepares for inheritance tax changes from April 2026 Worked example How a small restaurant group prepares for ERA 2025 changes from October 2026 News Mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs: what you must do by 18 November 2026 News Building Safety Levy now applies to new residential developments in England In focus Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: what the UK GDPR reforms mean for your business News CMA direct consumer enforcement powers from April 2025: what businesses need to know Key date Companies House accounts and filing reforms: spring 2026 compliance checklist News ECCTA Commencement No. 7: expanded Companies House powers and identity verification Round-up Q4 2025-Q1 2026 Companies House and ECCTA reforms: fraud prevention, identity verification, and enhanced powers Round-up Q2 2026 employment roundup: wage increases, day-one rights, and new enforcement Round-up Q1 2026 tax roundup: April rate changes and CIS reforms Analysis What the Employment Rights Act 2025 means for small businesses Key date Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment compliance checklist Worked example How a small construction firm prepares for CIS reforms from April 2026 In focus Biodiversity Net Gain: prepare for mandatory 10% gain requirements Key date Delinked payments cut to 98% in 2026: what farmers receive and when payments end Key date Employment Rights Act 2025: unfair dismissal reforms from January 2027 News New corporate fraud offence takes effect 1 September 2025: what your business must do Key date Employment Rights Act 2025: what changes in October 2026 and January 2027 Key date Fair Work Agency: what the new enforcement body means for employers Key date Farm water pollution consultation: new cattle permits, simpler rules, and doubled inspections Key date Sustainable Farming Incentive reopens in 2026: key dates and how to prepare News CIS changes April 2026: what contractors and subcontractors need to know Key date CIS April 2026 compliance checklist for contractors Key date ERA 2025 April 2026 compliance checklist for employers Key date Farm inheritance tax: what changes from April 2026 Key date April 2026 employment rate changes: what you need to know

December 2025

News Employment Rights Act 2025: what the new law means for employers

Related resources

Legislation

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