Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Legislation
4 statutory instruments made by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Updated technical standards for emergency call centres to enable 4G and 5G vehicle eCall functionality while extending support for legacy standards until 2031.
These Regulations update the technical requirements for emergency call handling systems to support 4G and 5G vehicle emergency calls (eCall).
They direct public safety answering points to adopt new international standards for packet-switched networks and IP Multimedia Subsystems while maintaining compatibility with older standards during a transition period.
The requirements apply to all emergency response centers in the United Kingdom that receive automated vehicle emergency alerts.
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Enterprise Act 2002
Added the continuity of telecommunications supply as a public interest ground for government intervention in UK business mergers.
This Order amends the Enterprise Act 2002 to allow the Secretary of State to intervene in mergers that may affect the continuity of telecommunications services in the United Kingdom.
It establishes a new public interest consideration focused on preventing disruption to the economy, society, public services, and critical national infrastructure.
The Order also grants the Secretary of State specific powers to issue enforcement orders requiring companies to take, or refrain from, particular actions to ensure service continuity during a merger.
The Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Digital Economy Act 2017
Authorized the sharing of data with energy suppliers to assist customers in debt and added new government departments to the list of bodies permitted to share information for specified objectives.
These regulations expand the legal framework for sharing government data with licensed gas and electricity suppliers to help identify and assist customers living in fuel poverty.
They authorize the disclosure of information to energy companies when it relates to debt relief requirements set by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (Ofgem) under the Gas Act 1986, the Electricity Act 1989, or the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018.
Additionally, the instrument updates the list of authorized government departments—specifically adding the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology—to correct a previous drafting error in earlier legislation.
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 9 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
Abolished the office of the Information Commissioner and transferred all regulatory functions to the Information Commission effective September 2026.
These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 that abolish the office of the Information Commissioner and transfer its functions to a new body known as the Information Commission.
Taking effect on 30 September 2026, the instrument establishes legal continuity, ensuring that any ongoing proceedings or actions involving the Commissioner are inherited by the Commission.
The regulations apply to the Information Commission, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and any parties currently engaged in legal or administrative processes with the UK data protection regulator.