Legislation Published May 2026
Legislation Tracker is your source for clear, concise explanations of Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments introduced in the United Kingdom.
We break down the technical legal jargon of each piece of legislation, explaining in plain language what it means and its potential impact.
Summary
- 18th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2015 rules to clarify charge exemptions for overseas visitors seeking specific NHS treatments and added Hantavirus disease to the Schedule 1 list of exempt conditions, applying retrospectively to May 1st, 2026. View
- 18th May 26 The Act formalized changes to Armed Forces pension schemes, established new pension arrangements, and made provisions for associated awards and compensation review processes. View
- 18th May 26 The Armed Forces Act 2006 established the unified legal and disciplinary framework for the UK Armed Forces. View
- 18th May 26 The Secretary of State enacted regulations restricting unmanned aircraft flight altitudes and zones around Birmingham city centre on May 23rd and 24th, 2026, for the duration of the Birmingham Pride event. View
- 15th May 26 The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 were revoked, ending emergency flight restrictions over Bristol effective immediately on May 15th, 2026. View
- 15th May 26 The Regulations formally defined 'digital sequence information' in relation to marine genetic resources for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026. View
- 15th May 26 The regulations amended the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010 by inserting definitions for 'the land' and 'local authority' and designating the host local authority as a Prescribed Public Authority eligible to charge fees. View
- 15th May 26 The regulations imposed temporary flight restrictions over Edinburgh airspace for specific periods between June 27th and July 3rd, 2026, to ensure public safety during the State Opening of the Scottish Parliament and Royal Week. View
- 15th May 26 The Regulations imposed temporary flight restrictions on unmanned aircraft around Wembley Stadium for a specified period on May 16th, 2026, to ensure public safety during the FA Cup Final. View
- 15th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2023 rules governing the Responsible Actors Scheme by correcting language, omitting a prohibition notice, and modifying exceptions related to building control prohibitions for various building works and property transfers. View
- 15th May 26 The Regulations amended existing 2017 conservation law to establish specific compensatory measure requirements and administrative processes for certain UK offshore wind projects approved despite negative site assessments. View
- 14th May 26 The regulations revoked prior statutory instruments granting immunities and privileges to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, effective March 31, 2027. View
- 14th May 26 The Order specified independent remuneration panels as relevant for determining allowances paid to commissioners in Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities, coming into force on 4th June 2026. View
- 14th May 26 The regulations imposed flight limitations on unmanned aircraft below 1,350 feet around the Lippitt's Hill NPAS base, designated as EGR1U082, and revoked the preceding 2025 regulations. View
- 14th May 26 * The regulations imposed new flight height and area restrictions on unmanned aircraft near the Almondsbury National Police Air Service base and simultaneously revoked the 2025 restriction regulations. View
- 14th May 26 The Regulations established a new restricted airspace zone (EGR2U063) below 1,550 feet around the Husbands Bosworth National Police Air Service base, prohibiting unauthorized unmanned aircraft flights and revoking the previous 2025 restrictions. View
- 14th May 26 The Regulations imposed restrictions on unmanned aircraft flying below 1,700 feet around Gatcombe Park, designating airspace EGR1U083, effective May 14, 2026. View
- 14th May 26 The regulations imposed a height restriction on unmanned aircraft operations near the Carr Gate National Police Air Service base and simultaneously revoked the preceding 2025 restriction order. View
- 14th May 26 The Regulations brought Section 15 of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 into force immediately, and brought Section 16 into force immediately for regulation-making purposes, setting its general commencement for September 1, 2026. View
- 13th May 26 The Act established a statutory basis for granting compensation and preferential treatment to qualifying veterans of the UK armed forces. View
- 11th May 26 The Regulations imposed restrictions on low-level flying around RAF Cosford airspace for specific periods between June 12th and June 14th, 2026, to protect public safety during flying displays. View
- 8th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2014 rules to subject temporary treatment of injury or disease at sporting and cultural events to CQC regulation, while phasing the commencement from September 2026 to December 2027. View
- 7th May 26 A correction notice was issued to amend typographical errors within the original Statutory Instrument by consistently changing 'Carer's Additional Person Payment' to 'Carer Additional Person Payment'. View
- 7th May 26 Corrected a typographical error in the footnote reference for a Statutory Instrument cited in the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and Tenancies (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026. View
- 6th May 26 The Regulations detailed how statutory workplace pension contributions deducted by an employer affect the calculation of an applicable individual's pay for the purposes of the National Minimum Wage. View
- 6th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2024 Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations by incorporating provisions related to development consent granted under the Planning Act 2008 and defining key site and development terms. View
- 5th May 26 A URL link within the Explanatory Note of The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026 was corrected to point to the accurate guidance on publishing plan data. View
- 5th May 26 A new Article 465A was inserted into the retained Capital Requirements Regulation (EU No 575/2013) to mandate a transitional period, running from January 1st to December 31st, 2027, exempting credit institutions and certain investment firms from applying specific new PRA market risk model rules. View
- 5th May 26 The Secretary of State revoked the emergency flying restrictions previously imposed over the Southway, Plymouth area via a prior statutory instrument. View
- 5th May 26 The Secretary of State imposed immediate, temporary flying restrictions below 3,500 feet over a specified one-mile radius near Bristol due to a public interest emergency, effective May 3rd, 2026. View
- 1st May 26 The regulations established the definitive contractual framework for primary medical services provision under the NHS in England. View
- 1st May 26 Amended the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees Order 2013 to introduce new fees for proceedings under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and updated definitions and fee structures. View
- 1st May 26 Specific parts of the Football Governance Act 2025, covering owner suitability, club duties, and IFR investigatory powers, were brought into force on May 5, 2026. View
- 1st May 26 The Secretary of State made regulations imposing temporary flight restrictions below 3,500 feet around Headcorn Aerodrome for flying displays scheduled from June 26th to June 28th, 2026. View
The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the 2015 rules governing National Health Service charges for overseas visitors in England by introducing and clarifying exemptions related to specific diseases and the circumstances under which visitors seek treatment.
Specifically, the amendment clarifies that charges must generally be applied if an overseas visitor came to the UK explicitly for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition listed in Schedule 1, unless the travel was state-approved or funded.
Furthermore, the Regulations add Hantavirus disease, including its severe forms, to the list of conditions exempt from visitor charges, ensuring treatment is free for overseas visitors, and mandates that charges made since May 1st, 2026, for this specific disease must not be recovered or must be repaid.
The Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Armed Forces (Pensions and Awards) Act 2015 primarily legislates to amend the arrangements for pensions, awards, and compensation paid to members of the armed forces, as well as service civilians, making provisions for the establishment of new pension schemes and making necessary consequential changes.
The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts and Personal Medical Services Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Armed Forces Act 2006 constitutes the primary legislation governing the structure, discipline, jurisdiction, and powers of the unified Armed Forces of the United Kingdom following the amalgamation of the separate service branches into single legal entities.
It establishes the framework for court martial proceedings, defines service offences, regulates the powers of commanding officers, and addresses matters of service complaints and civilian jurisdiction over service personnel both at home and overseas.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birmingham Pride) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, effective from May 23rd, 2026, impose a temporary restriction on the flying of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,600 feet above mean sea level in specified areas around Birmingham City Centre to ensure public safety and security during the Birmingham Pride Parade and Festival planned for May 23rd and 24th, 2026, with the restriction being lifted unless permission is granted by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations formally abolish the temporary, emergency restrictions that were previously placed on flying within a specified area near Bristol, as outlined in the earlier 2026 instrument, confirming that the emergency situation necessitating the restriction has concluded and it is no longer required in the public interest.
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Meaning of “Digital Sequence Information”) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, define 'digital sequence information' (DSI) specifically concerning marine genetic resources for the purposes of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, establishing that DSI means DNA or RNA sequences held in digital format; the legislation comes into force on 10th July 2026 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, supporting the UK’s implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
The Infrastructure Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Infrastructure Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 modify the existing 2010 Regulations concerning fees for nationally significant infrastructure projects, primarily by inserting standardized definitions for 'the land' and 'local authority' into the rules and by explicitly recognizing the local authority in whose area the land is situated as a Prescribed Public Authority entitled to charge fees for relevant services, with the regulations generally applying to England and Wales and specifically to cross-country oil or gas pipelines involving Scotland.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Edinburgh) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Edinburgh) Regulations 2026 establish temporary flight restrictions over a specified two-nautical-mile radius centered near Edinburgh between June 27th and July 3rd, 2026, due to the State Opening of the Scottish Parliament and Royal Week, setting a minimum flight altitude of 4,500 feet above mean sea level, with exemptions for authorized emergency, police, and airport-directed operations.