Legislation Published April 2025
48 statutory instruments were made in April 2025, with justice, economy, and infrastructure appearing as the most frequent administrative categories. The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 updated fees for planning applications and established new procedures for Crown land development. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 authorized the road use of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and implemented corresponding safety standards. Additionally, the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 modified the legal definitions and criteria used for international sanctions, reducing the scope of certain sectoral restrictions.
Most significant this month: The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
Summary
- 30th Apr 25 The 2025 Regulations amended the 1988 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations by clarifying the definition of furniture, removing certain labeling requirements, and extending the timeframe for legal proceedings regarding fire safety offences. View Benefits and Welfare Economy Housing Justice Labour Trade
- 30th Apr 25 The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amended UK aviation security legislation by removing stipulations on aircraft security and air carrier mail and materials. View Defence Foreign Policy Justice Transport
- 30th Apr 25 The 2025 regulations established online procedure rules for specified civil and family proceedings relating to property and financial remedies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. View Devolution Finance Justice Local Government Technology
- 30th Apr 25 The regulations brought into force sections 1 and 2 of the Firearms Act 2023, clarifying regulations on miniature rifles in shooting galleries and the illegal possession of ammunition components for manufacturing. View Defence Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 29th Apr 25 The regulations amended existing legislation to extend transitional periods for official controls on various areas related to food and agricultural products, shifting deadlines from July 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027. View Agriculture Economy Environment Health and Social Care Trade
- 28th Apr 25 The 2025 order corrected errors and omissions in the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent Order 2024. View Environment Infrastructure Justice Local Government Transport
- 25th Apr 25 The 2025 Regulations revoked several pieces of subordinate legislation and assimilated EU law related to public procurement in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. View Economy Energy Justice Trade
- 25th Apr 25 The 2025 Order amended the Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station Order 2015 to clarify the definition of processed municipal solid waste. View Economy Energy Environment Foreign Policy Justice
- 24th Apr 25 The regulations revoked 37 obsolete Euratom decisions and related miscellaneous provisions concerning energy, along with certain legacy transitional provisions related to environmental impact assessments. View Energy Environment Foreign Policy Trade
- 24th Apr 25 The Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) Regulations 2022 were amended to include three additional institutions authorized to advise on exemption certificate applications. View Culture and Sport Devolution Environment Justice Trade
- 24th Apr 25 The Gambling Act 2005 was amended to redefine "gaming table" in casinos, impacting the permitted number of gaming machines, effective July 22, 2025. View Culture and Sport Economy Finance Justice
- 24th Apr 25 Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was commenced on a trial basis in selected areas of England and Wales, and inconsistencies in previous commencement regulations were corrected. View Benefits and Welfare Civil Liberties Justice Local Government
- 24th Apr 25 These regulations amended the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, updated the definition of the Assad regime, revised stated purposes, altered designation criteria, and reduced the scope of sectoral sanctions to promote Syria's economic recovery. View Economy Finance Foreign Policy Justice Trade
- 24th Apr 25 The 2025 regulations amended the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations to specify fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests and direct payment to private test providers. View Economy Finance Justice Transport
- 24th Apr 25 The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool) Designation Order 2025 designated Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool as a free zone, appointed a responsible authority, and established conditions for its operation. View Economy Finance Justice Local Government Transport Trade
- 23rd Apr 25 The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 brought section 5 of the Act into force regarding third-party bulk personal datasets on April 25th, 2025. View Civil Liberties Finance Justice Technology
- 22nd Apr 25 The regulations established requirements for retaining carbon storage information and samples, defining categories of information and samples, setting retention periods, and outlining procedures for license termination. View Energy Environment
- 22nd Apr 25 The 2025 regulations amended the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations in Northern Ireland to reflect the Windsor Framework's provisions on EU law. View Devolution Economy Energy Environment Technology Trade
- 17th Apr 25 The Order amended the 2023 authorization for the National Film and Television School to award degrees, extending the period until April 8, 2029. View Education
- 15th Apr 25 The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023 was amended to revise the definition of the offshore compensation measures and modify the guillemot compensation process. View Energy Environment
- 15th Apr 25 The Heckington Fen Solar Park (Correction) Order 2025 corrected errors in the original 2025 Order, amending references and coordinates within various articles and schedules. View Energy Environment Infrastructure Justice Local Government
- 14th Apr 25 The Order amended the Power to Award Degrees etc. (ICMP Management Limited) Order 2021, extending ICMP Management Limited's authorization to award degrees. View Education
- 14th Apr 25 The 2025 Order corrected errors and omissions in the National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) Order 2024. View Energy Infrastructure Justice Local Government
- 11th Apr 25 The order amended the West Midlands Rail Freight Interchange Order 2020 by substituting a revised table of certification documents in Schedule 15. View Infrastructure Transport
- 10th Apr 25 The 2025 Order amended the 2019 Order, extending the Architectural Association School of Architecture's authorization to award degrees until September 29, 2028. View Education
- 9th Apr 25 The Order established 30 new electoral wards in Bradford, abolished existing wards, and implemented a new election schedule for city and parish councillors, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. View Justice Local Government
- 9th Apr 25 The order established 21 new electoral wards for Barnsley, abolished existing wards, and implemented a new system for councillor elections and retirements. View Justice Local Government
- 9th Apr 25 The Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 established 21 new city wards and revised parish wards, implemented new election timelines, and abolished existing ward structures. View Justice Local Government
- 8th Apr 25 The Order amended existing fees in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 and the Magistrates’ Courts Fees Order 2008. View Finance Justice
- 8th Apr 25 The 2025 Order amended the 2021 Order, extending the College of Legal Practice Limited's degree-awarding authorization until April 29, 2028. View Education Justice
- 8th Apr 25 Specific sections of the Environment Act 2021 relating to biodiversity net gain, along with relevant sections of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, were brought into force on May 1st, 2025. View Economy Environment Housing Local Government
- 8th Apr 25 The 2025 order revised Tyne Tunnel tolls, increasing costs for some vehicle classes, and revoked the 2024 toll revision order. View Economy Finance Local Government Transport
- 7th Apr 25 The regulations specified the roles of independent domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking advocates, and mandated the Secretary of State to issue guidance on these roles. View Benefits and Welfare Civil Liberties Health and Social Care Justice
- 7th Apr 25 The 2025 regulations amended the 1986 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations to allow road use of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, while introducing safety standards for hydrogen fuel systems. View Agriculture Energy Environment Technology Transport
- 7th Apr 25 The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2025 corrected errors in the Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 regarding electoral boundary divisions and implemented the recommendations of the Maidstone Borough Council. View Justice Local Government
- 3rd Apr 25 The regulations amended the Companies Act 2006 to clarify the recognition of third-country audit qualifications and updated requirements for practical training. View Economy Justice Trade
- 3rd Apr 25 The regulations established tax exemptions and relief for payments made under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals, effective from April 28, 2025. View Benefits and Welfare Economy Finance Justice
- 3rd Apr 25 The 2025 regulations amended the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations, updated codes of practice for student housing, specified relevant educational establishments, and revoked superseded regulations. View Education Housing Local Government
- 3rd Apr 25 The order clarified penalty calculations for non-compliance with designated vendor directions and amended the 2003 Order to reflect changes from the 2021 Act. View Defence Economy Finance Justice Technology
- 3rd Apr 25 The regulations amended the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 to exclude Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals compensation payments from National Insurance contribution calculations. View Benefits and Welfare Economy Finance Labour Trade
- 3rd Apr 25 Specific provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 were brought into force on various dates in 2024 and 2025. View Benefits and Welfare Civil Liberties Justice
- 3rd Apr 25 The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2025 increased fees for Emergency Travel Documents and Emergency Passports. View Finance Foreign Policy Immigration
- 3rd Apr 25 The regulations amended primary legislation to reflect the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, updated fees for planning applications, and established new procedures for Crown land development in England. View Economy Environment Housing Infrastructure Justice Local Government
- 2nd Apr 25 The regulations amended the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 and the Town and Country Planning (Section 62A Applications) (Procedure and Consequential Amendments) Order 2013 to clarify CIL application and improve information gathering relating to planning applications in England. View Economy Finance Housing Infrastructure Local Government
- 2nd Apr 25 The regulations amended several UK customs regulations, updating tariff rates, authorized uses, and preferential trade arrangements to reflect changes in international trade and commodity codes. View Economy Trade
- 1st Apr 25 The 2025 Regulations amended the 2003 Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations, extending the application timelines of regulations 30K and 30M. View Finance Local Government
- 1st Apr 25 This legislation established duties for UK law-enforcement bodies regarding information disclosure and review related to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, amended related legislation, and issued guidance for implementation. View Defence Devolution Finance Justice Labour
- 1st Apr 25 The regulations amended the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 by increasing fees for welfare benefit cases, removing some fee schedules, and safeguarding pre-May 1, 2025, applications. View Benefits and Welfare Finance Justice
The Energy (Euratom Decisions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2025
The Energy (Euratom Decisions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2025 revoke 37 obsolete instruments, mostly related to the UK's former Euratom membership.
These regulations also revoke legacy transitional provisions concerning environmental assessments for electricity and pipeline works.
The changes simplify UK energy law, remove redundant provisions, and align the legal framework with the post-Brexit regulatory environment.
The Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) Regulations 2022 to add three national museums—in Merseyside, Northern Ireland, and Wales—to the list of institutions authorized to advise the Secretary of State on applications for exemption certificates under the Ivory Act 2018.
The amendment aims to improve the expertise and geographic reach of advice provided.
The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Gambling Act 2005 by redefining "gaming table" in casinos.
The changes clarify that only apparatus designed or adapted for real games of chance and requiring staff operation count toward the ratio determining the permissible number of gaming machines.
This impacts casino licensing and affects the number of gaming machines allowed in casinos based on the number of qualifying gaming tables.
The regulations apply to England, Wales, and Scotland, coming into force on July 22, 2025.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective April 28th, 2025, initiate a pilot program in six specified areas of North Wales for a limited period, implementing Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
This includes rolling out new domestic abuse protection notices and orders, aiming to bolster protection for victims.
The program also rectifies inconsistencies in prior commencement regulations.
The initiative's impact will be carefully assessed for informing further national implementation.
The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2019 Syria sanctions regulations.
Key changes include updating the definition of the 'Assad regime', revising the regulations' stated purposes to include promoting Syrian peace and accountability for human rights abuses, and altering designation criteria for sanctioned individuals and entities.
The amendments also significantly reduce the scope of sanctions, particularly those limiting trade, financial services, and the aviation sector, to facilitate economic recovery in Syria.
The regulations remove obsolete provisions related to previous sanctions on the Syrian regime and replace references to 'Syrian regime person' with references to a newly defined 'Governing Authority of Syria'.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025, effective May 15, 2025, amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.
They clarify fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests, specifying different rates depending on whether the test is conducted by a DVSA examiner or a private provider.
The regulations also mandate that fees for tests conducted by private providers be paid directly to and retained by those providers.
The Secretary of State consulted relevant organizations and obtained Treasury approval for the fee changes.
This order designates Customs Site No. 7 in Liverpool as a free zone for a 10-year period, appointing John K Philips Group Limited as the responsible authority.
The order details specific conditions the responsible authority must meet, including maintaining detailed records, providing access for HMRC officers, ensuring safe working conditions, and taking measures to prevent unauthorized activities within the free zone.
The authority is subject to comprehensive reporting and inspection provisions.
Failure to meet any condition may result in revocation of the designation.
The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
These regulations, made under the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024, bring section 5 of that Act into force on April 25th, 2025.
This section concerns the handling of third-party bulk personal datasets.
The regulations apply across the UK and have been approved by the Minister of State for the Home Office. An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of predicted significant impact on the public or private sectors.