Legislation Published April 2026
63 statutory instruments were made in April 2026, with the highest volume of legislation relating to transport-related flight restrictions and justice-sector procedural updates. Key developments included the commencement of new police powers under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which expanded authorities regarding public order and stop and search. Further instruments introduced a secondary permit system for the operation of automated passenger services and implemented a six-month extension for criminal investigations related to the Northern Ireland Troubles. Welfare changes also modified how work and voluntary activities affect benefit reassessments for Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment claimants.
Most significant this month: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Summary
- 30th Apr 26 The Regulations extend the deadline for completing criminal investigations under the transitional provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 from April 2026 to October 2026. View Devolution Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 30th Apr 26 The Secretary of State made emergency regulations immediately restricting non-exempted aircraft flight below 2,000 feet over a circular area centered on Southway, Plymouth. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 30th Apr 26 The legislation transferred statutory powers related to social security contributions concerning Northern Ireland from the Secretary of State to Her Majesty's Treasury. View Benefits and Welfare Finance
- 30th Apr 26 The Secretary of State exercised powers under Schedule 4 of the Planning Act 2008 to issue specific textual corrections across articles, requirements, and schedules of the Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 to remedy identified errors. View Energy Infrastructure Justice
- 30th Apr 26 The regulations restricted unmanned aircraft flight below 1,400 feet over War Memorial Park, Coventry, between 0900 and 2100 UTC on May 4, 2026, excluding police-authorized operations. View Justice Local Government Technology Transport
- 30th Apr 26 The Regulations imposed temporary altitude and area flight restrictions over the Fishburn Air Race vicinity for public safety during the event dates in June 2026. View Justice Transport
- 29th Apr 26 Extended the procedural time limit for lodging Employment Tribunal complaints concerning the right to accompaniment during study or training discussions from three to six months by amending the 2010 Regulations. View Education Justice Labour
- 29th Apr 26 The Regulations exempted income tax for accredited, non-UK resident individuals performing activities connected with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games during a defined operational period. View Culture and Sport Economy Finance Justice
- 29th Apr 26 Legislation established financial liability for carriers transporting individuals lacking proper entry documentation into the UK. View Immigration Justice
- 29th Apr 26 The Regulations amended the principal 2013 Regulations governing the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales. View Labour Local Government
- 28th Apr 26 The Order legally extended the definition of 'disease' under the Animal Health Act 1981 to include swine vesicular disease for operations within England. View Agriculture Environment
- 28th Apr 26 The Public Order Act 1986 (Amendment) Order 2024 amended existing legislation to strengthen police powers for imposing conditions on public processions and demonstrations deemed likely to cause serious disruption. View Civil Liberties Justice Local Government
- 27th Apr 26 The regulations amend existing 2013 social security legislation to permit the extension of fixed-term Personal Independence Payment awards for administrative efficiency in England and Wales, effective from June 2nd, 2026. View Benefits and Welfare
- 27th Apr 26 The regulations imposed specific altitude and geographical restrictions on unmanned aircraft flying near Lincoln on May 9th, 2026, due to a public event. View Technology Transport
- 27th Apr 26 The Secretary of State imposed restrictions on low-level flying near Ragley Hall, Alcester, between May 29th and May 31st, 2026, to safeguard the public during the Midlands Air Festival. View Technology Transport
- 24th Apr 26 Unmanned aircraft flying restrictions were imposed below 1,200 feet around Drax, North Yorkshire, between April 27th and May 3rd, 2026, based on public safety concerns. View Justice Local Government Technology Transport
- 24th Apr 26 Amended the National Employment Savings Trust Order 2010 to allow the Trustee to offer drawdown pensions to members and expand post-death payment flexibility to dependants, nominees, or successors. View Finance Labour
- 24th Apr 26 The United Kingdom enacted eleven time-bound, geographically defined temporary flight restrictions below 4,000 feet on April 24, 2026, to facilitate essential helicopter operations. View Infrastructure Transport
- 23rd Apr 26 Legislation was introduced to create a statutory duty on the Crown to ensure support is provided to veterans and their families. View Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 23rd Apr 26 Specific remaining provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 were brought into force on 15th February 2010, accompanied by saving provisions to manage the transition. View Immigration Justice
- 23rd Apr 26 The Regulations detail the procedures, validity periods, renewal windows, conditions for intervention, and information sharing protocols governing permits for automated passenger services under the 2024 Act. View Justice Local Government Technology Transport
- 23rd Apr 26 The regulations restricted unmanned aircraft flight below 1,300 feet over Glasgow Green between 09:00 on 19th June 2026 and 22:30 on 21st June 2026, excluding specific police or authorized flights. View Civil Liberties Justice Transport
- 23rd Apr 26 Regulations established temporary flight restrictions below 1,800 feet over a radius around a central point in Gateshead on April 24th, 25th, and early April 26th, 2026, for a multi-agency operation. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 22nd Apr 26 The Regulations transferred certain adult education functions from the Secretary of State to Warwickshire County Council and established conditions on their exercise. View Education Local Government
- 22nd Apr 26 The amendment officially updated definitions, increased generating capacity, modified authorized works, and revised building height parameters for the North Killingholme Generating Station Development Consent Order 2014. View Energy Infrastructure
- 22nd Apr 26 Air traffic restrictions were imposed below 3,300 feet over Portrush, Northern Ireland, during specific hours on May 6th, 7th, and 9th, 2026, for the North West 200 Motorcycle Races. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 21st Apr 26 The regulations permitted the use of the mineral substance, magnesium L-threonate monohydrate, as a source of magnesium in the manufacture of food supplements in England by amending Schedule 2 of the 2019 EU Exit Regulations. View Economy Health and Social Care Justice Trade
- 21st Apr 26 The Regulations mandated the Information Commissioner to create a data protection code of practice for AI and automated decision-making, while simultaneously excluding national security considerations from the oversight panel's review. View Finance Justice Technology
- 21st Apr 26 Amended the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 by revoking specific trade prohibitions, correcting definitions, and updating references to the Government of Syria. View Economy Foreign Policy Justice Trade
- 21st Apr 26 The regulations brought into force Part 5 (excluding civil sanctions and certain administrative subsections) and Section 93 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 effective from May 15, 2026. View Justice Local Government Technology Transport
- 21st Apr 26 The Regulations imposed temporary altitude and radius restrictions on unmanned aircraft flight near Epsom for June 5th and 6th, 2026, citing public safety concerns for the Derby event. View Infrastructure Justice Transport
- 21st Apr 26 The Order formally approved seven specified highway authorities to levy charges for occupation of the highway under existing lane rental regulations. View Infrastructure Justice Local Government Transport
- 20th Apr 26 The Regulations removed five specified ambulance services in England and Northern Ireland from the list of public authorities authorized to obtain communications data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. View Health and Social Care Justice Technology
- 20th Apr 26 Imposed immediate, time-specific emergency flight restrictions on unmanned aircraft below 1,250 feet over The Mall, Harrow area on April 20, 2026. View Justice Technology Transport
- 17th Apr 26 * The Secretary of State made an Order amending the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order 2024 following an application for non-material changes, updating descriptions in Schedule 1, altering highway and access provisions in Schedule 2, modifying measurements in Schedules 7 and 8, and substituting the list of certified documents in Schedule 10. View Infrastructure Transport
- 17th Apr 26 Announces a formal correction to The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 by rectifying a typographical error in a certification website URL listed in a footnote. View Energy Local Government
- 16th Apr 26 Schedule 1 amended specific sections and text within the Armed Forces Act 2006 relating to service discipline and complaints procedures. View Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 16th Apr 26 The Order introduced amendments to service pension entitlement regulations within the Armed Forces to ensure greater equality. View Finance Armed Forces and Veterans
- 16th Apr 26 The legislation established the statutory basis for providing income tax relief for investments made into qualifying unlisted companies under the Enterprise Investment Scheme. View Economy Finance Justice Labour
- 16th Apr 26 The Regulations amended the Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to correct errors, introduce 'interchangeable goods' provisions under Chapter 6 for repayment/remission claims, and link Chapter 5 relief to Chapter 6 claims, while inserting a 'fit and proper person' test for certain claims. View Economy Finance Justice Local Government Trade
- 16th Apr 26 The commencement date for the Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 was officially changed from 20th April 2026 to 25th May 2026. View Devolution Finance Local Government Trade
- 16th Apr 26 The North East Combined Authority's maximum tolls for the Tyne Tunnel crossing were revised and specified in a new schedule, effective May 1, 2026, following the revocation of the 2025 toll revision order. View Infrastructure Local Government Transport
- 15th Apr 26 The Armed Forces Act 2021 amended primary legislation relating to service discipline, administration, and service justice procedures within the UK Military. View Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 15th Apr 26 The Secretary of State exercised powers under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to immediately revoke the statutory instrument imposing emergency flying restrictions over a Leicestershire area because the emergency ceased to exist. View Infrastructure Transport
- 15th Apr 26 The Regulations amended core CfD legislation to introduce flexible Sustainable Industry Reward budgets, adjust application window timelines, define processes for financial standard compliance, and update required contractual statements. View Economy Energy
- 15th Apr 26 The legislation restricted unmanned aircraft flights below 1,400 feet in the Firth of Forth area between April 19th and April 24th, 2026, due to Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier operations. View Defence Justice Transport
- 14th Apr 26 The regulations amended the National Insurance Contributions framework for 2024/25 by revising Class 2 and Class 4 contribution rates and thresholds for self-employed individuals. View Economy Finance Labour
- 14th Apr 26 Consolidated and updated key legislative provisions governing discipline, service complaints, and conditions of service for the UK armed forces. View Justice Labour Armed Forces and Veterans
- 14th Apr 26 The regulations brought specified sections of the Sentencing Act 2026 into force across the UK on May 11, 2026, and June 1, 2026, affecting prison capacity reporting, community sentence completion, and licence termination for public protection sentences. View Finance Justice
- 14th Apr 26 The Secretary of State revoked the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Brize Norton) Regulations 2026, immediately ending specified flight limitations over RAF Brize Norton. View Defence Transport
- 14th Apr 26 The Order amended the procedural regulations governing how local planning authorities in England process, consult on, and determine applications for development management permission. View Housing Infrastructure Local Government
- 14th Apr 26 The Act established the new State Pension structure, modified State Pension deferral rules, and made amendments concerning automatic enrolment and pension entitlements upon relationship breakdown. View Benefits and Welfare Finance Justice
- 14th Apr 26 Corrected two typographical errors in The Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026 regarding the terms 'principle'/'principal' and the place name 'Reis'/'Regis'. View Infrastructure Transport
- 13th Apr 26 * The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dinas Powys, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 were revoked, immediately lifting emergency flight restrictions over the specified area. View Local Government Transport
- 10th Apr 26 Regulations immediately restricted unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet over a specified area in Dinas Powys, Wales, due to an emergency. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 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 Benefits and Welfare
- 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 Education Technology
- 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 Housing Justice Labour
- 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 Health and Social Care Justice
- 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 Defence Justice
- 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 Economy Finance
- 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 Civil Liberties Health and Social Care Justice Local Government
- 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 Benefits and Welfare
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, amend the earlier 2024 Commencement Regulations concerning the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, specifically extending the deadline for investigating bodies to prepare or complete their criminal investigation reports under the transitional provisions from April 30th, 2026, to October 31st, 2026.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Southway, Plymouth) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 immediately restrict all aircraft from flying lower than 2,000 feet above mean sea level over a defined area in Southway, Plymouth, using powers derived from the Air Navigation Order 2016 due to an emergency affecting the public interest, with an exception granted only for aircraft operating under directions from the Devon & Cornwall Police Counter UAS Team.
The Credit Institutions and Investment Firms (Miscellaneous Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
This Order transfers specific statutory powers concerning social security contributions from the Secretary of State to Her Majesty's Treasury, specifically relating to Northern Ireland.
The legislation amends the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 to ensure that the Treasury has the necessary authority to handle these contributions, thereby integrating certain aspects of Northern Ireland's social security contribution structure more closely with the broader UK framework.
The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm (Correction) Order 2026
This Statutory Instrument introduces necessary corrections to the Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025, which originally granted development consent for the wind farm under the Planning Act 2008.
Made by the Secretary of State on April 23rd, 2026, the Order specifies textual amendments, referenced in a schedule, across various articles and requirements of the initial Order to rectify identified errors following a formal request by the applicant.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (War Memorial Park, Coventry) Regulations 2026
This Statutory Instrument, The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (War Memorial Park, Coventry) Regulations 2026, imposes a temporary restriction on the operation of unmanned aircraft to ensure public safety during a large gathering, specifically the Coventry City Football Club Parade, on May 4, 2026; the regulation prohibits flights below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a precisely defined area around War Memorial Park, Coventry, between 0900 and 2100 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time, although exceptions exist for flights authorized by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.
These Regulations establish temporary, area-specific flight restrictions necessary for public safety during the Royal Aero Club Air Race scheduled to take place near Fishburn Aerodrome on June 20th and 21st, 2026; specifically, they prohibit aircraft from flying below 2,000 feet above mean sea level within precisely defined geographical coordinates during specified time windows, though exceptions exist for certain authorized aircraft and emergency services.
These Regulations amend the existing Employee Study and Training (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2010 by increasing the statutory time limit for an employee to present a complaint to an Employment Tribunal regarding an employer’s failure, or threat to fail, to allow accompaniment during a meeting about study or training, extending this period from three months to six months, with the change applying only to failures occurring on or after October 1st, 2026.
The Major Sporting Events (Income Tax Exemption) (Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, enacted by HM Treasury under the Finance Act 2014, establish an income tax exemption for individuals accredited by the organizer of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games for income earned while performing activities connected with the Games between July 16th and August 4th, 2026, provided the individual meets specific non-UK residence criteria for the relevant tax year or period.