Legislation Published April 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
- 9th Apr 26 The regulations amended provisions within the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, and Employment and Support Allowance frameworks to exclude work and voluntary activities from being considered reasons for fresh benefit determinations or reassessments. View
- 9th Apr 26 The Office for Students revoked the 2022 and 2025 Orders granting degree awarding powers to Spurgeon's College because the institution ceased to be a registered higher education provider. View
- 8th Apr 26 The Rules amended the 2013 Tribunal Procedure for the Property Chamber to incorporate jurisdiction under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and adjusted provisions related to costs orders for Housing Act 1988 financial penalty appeals. View
- 7th Apr 26 A correction notice was issued for The Mental Health Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026, amending a referencing error in a footnote. View
- 1st Apr 26 Enacted provisions expanding police powers regarding protests, public order offenses, and stop and search; concurrently made procedural changes affecting certain aspects of sentencing and the courts. View
- 1st Apr 26 The Order amended the Financial Promotion Order 2005, modifying regulations governing the promotion of financial services and investments within the UK. View
- 1st Apr 26 Two statutory instruments officially brought specific sections of the Mental Health Act 2025 into force on April 6th, 2026, covering human rights application to private providers and mandating a review of notification procedures for young inpatients in England. View
- 1st Apr 26 Corrected three instances of 'The Secretary' to read 'The Secretary of State' within Regulation 63A of the inserted provisions of The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. View
The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Statutory Instruments amend regulations governing Universal Credit (UC), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to specify that undertaking work, whether paid or voluntary, does not count as a 'relevant change of circumstances' justifying an immediate reassessment of a claimant's limited capability for work or their ability to carry out daily living/mobility activities.
The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Spurgeon’s College) (Revocation) Order 2026
This Order, made by the Office for Students under powers granted by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, formally revokes the 2022 Order and the 2025 Amendment Order that previously granted degree-awarding powers to Spurgeon's College, because the college is no longer a registered higher education provider in England.
These Rules amend the existing 2013 procedural rules governing the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, primarily to integrate the jurisdiction created by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 concerning residential property disputes and new penalties, while also clarifying the scope of the Tribunal’s authority to make costs orders in specific Housing Act 1988 penalty appeals.
Correction Slip
This statutory instrument correction notice officially amends The Mental Health Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026 by correcting a typographical error on page 1, specifically changing the reference year in footnote (a) from '2005' to the correct year, '2025', to align with the primary legislation being brought into force.
Part 7 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 focuses on consolidating and expanding various police powers, particularly in areas concerning protests, public order, stop and search, and related procedural matters within the criminal justice system, ultimately aiming to improve operational effectiveness for law enforcement and public safety measures.
This statutory instrument, The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2024, formally amends the existing Financial Promotion Order 2005 by introducing specific changes to how financial promotions are regulated under the primary Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 framework, likely updating exemptions or conditions related to certain types of communication.
The Mental Health Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026
These Regulations officially bring Sections 51 and 52 of the Mental Health Act 2025 into legal force starting April 6th, 2026.
Section 51 extends the Human Rights Act 1998 compatibility requirements to mental health services provided by private care providers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, while Section 52 places a specific duty on the Secretary of State to review and report on the regulations concerning notification to the Care Quality Commission when individuals under eighteen are admitted as inpatients for mental health treatment, applicable only to England.
Correction Slip
This Statutory Instrument correction notice rectifies typographical errors within The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026 No. 6), specifically replacing instances of the abbreviated term 'The Secretary' with the full statutory title 'The Secretary of State' in subsections (2), (4), and (6) of the newly inserted regulation 63A concerning transitional provisions.