Legislation Published July 2026
UK legislation and statutory instruments introduced in July 2026.
Summary
- 2nd Jul 26 Revoked the Pensions Regulator's Code of Practice for collective defined contribution schemes effective July 31, 2026. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Amended the 2014 Order to update and clarify which regulatory functions of the FCA and PRA are eligible for investigation under the statutory Complaints Scheme. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the vicinity of Mill Lane, Chipping Ongar, effective July 2, 2026. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Appointed 31 July 2026 as the commencement date for the Pensions Regulator's Code of Practice on Collective Defined Contribution schemes and revoked the corresponding 2022 Order. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Established a mandatory digital system for tracking controlled waste in England, introduced a £26 annual operator fee, and granted the Environment Agency powers to issue civil penalties for non-compliance. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Designated 24th June 2026 as the date ending the access preparation period for the coastal path between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Increased the central service fee for Clean Air Zone payments from £2 to £4 and extended the fee liability period until 2031. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Activated legal provisions clarifying the boundary between traditional civil procedure and new online court rules in England and Wales. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in designated Coventry airspace during 4 and 5 July 2026 to ensure public safety during large events. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Knebworth during July 2026. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Restricted flying in the vicinity of RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, during public air displays scheduled for July 2026. View
- 2nd Jul 26 Commenced provisions of the Communications Act 2003 and Media Act 2024 relating to the categorization and broadcasting of listed national events while establishing saving provisions for existing contracts. View
- 1st Jul 26 Amended reporting procedures for pleasure craft to permit electronic arrival notifications and clarify flag-signaling requirements. View
- 1st Jul 26 Expanded eligibility for free school lunches to pupils in maintained nursery schools in England whose parents receive Universal Credit. View
- 1st Jul 26 Expanded the categories of Court Martial sentences eligible for leniency reviews and adjusted procedural deadlines for the Attorney General. View
- 1st Jul 26 Designated eleven specific government-issued bonds as gilt-edged securities to exempt them from capital gains and corporation tax. View
- 1st Jul 26 Shortened the time periods and standardized the notice requirements for the retention and disposal of motor vehicles seized by police authorities. View
- 1st Jul 26 Specified independent remuneration panels and amended regional authority constitutions to permit allowances for members with special responsibilities. View
- 1st Jul 26 Restricted flight below 2,500 feet within 2 nautical miles of Mill Lane, Chipping Ongar, except for aircraft directed by police. View
- 1st Jul 26 Established an emergency restricted flight zone up to 3,000 feet above mean sea level near Chipping Ongar, Essex. View
- 1st Jul 26 Activated legal requirements for football clubs regarding the protection of home grounds, heritage markers, and regulatory notification duties as of July 2026. View
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Coventry) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Coventry) Regulations 2026 prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level in a specific area of Coventry.
These restrictions apply between 11:00 and 22:59 UTC on 4 July and 5 July 2026 to manage risks associated with large public gatherings.
The order applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the West Midlands Police Counter-UAS Team.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Knebworth, Hertfordshire) Regulations 2026
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,500 feet above mean sea level within a specified geographic area of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, during a music festival.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft operators except those who obtain written permission from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police Drone Team.
These rules remain in effect during specific intervals between July 10, 2026, and July 12, 2026, to manage safety and security risks associated with large public gatherings.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Leeming) Regulations 2026 prohibit aircraft from flying below 7,000 feet within a 5-nautical-mile radius of RAF Leeming during specific periods on 22 and 23 July 2026.
These restrictions apply to all aircraft except those granted specific permission by the Leeming Show Flying Display Director.
The Department for Transport issued these regulations to facilitate public flying displays and manage safety during high-energy aerial manoeuvres.
The Communications Act 2003 (Commencement No. 6) and Media Act 2024 (Commencement No. 4 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring into force specific provisions of the Communications Act 2003 and the Media Act 2024 on January 1, 2027, primarily concerning the regulation of 'listed events' such as major sporting fixtures.
The instrument directs the categorisation of these events into Group A and Group B and updates the restrictions regarding live coverage and contract reporting.
It applies to the Secretary of State, media regulators such as OFCOM, and broadcasting organizations involved in the acquisition of rights for events of national interest.
These regulations amend the procedures for pleasure craft arriving in the United Kingdom by explicitly authorizing electronic methods for notifying arrival and submitting reports.
The person responsible for a vessel must notify an officer of arrival as soon as practicable and maintain a signal flag until instructed otherwise. These rules apply to operators and owners of pleasure craft as defined by previous customs legislation and are administered by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
The Education (Free School Lunches in Maintained Nursery Schools) (Universal Credit) (England) Order 2026
This Order establishes free school lunch eligibility for registered pupils at maintained nursery schools in England if their parent receives Universal Credit and they do not already qualify under existing legislative criteria.
It directs school authorities to treat these pupils as eligible persons under section 512ZB(4A) of the Education Act 1996.
The provisions apply specifically to the education sector in England and involve parents who are recipients of Universal Credit.
The Armed Forces (Review of Court Martial Sentence) (Amendment and Supplementary Provision) Regulations 2026
These Regulations expand the list of offences for which the Attorney General may refer a Court Martial sentence to the Court Martial Appeal Court on the grounds of undue leniency.
They add a wide range of sexual, terrorism-related, and modern slavery offences to the existing review framework, ensuring service justice alignment with civilian law.
Additionally, the instrument modifies procedural timelines, allowing the Attorney General an additional 14 days to apply for a review if a request is received within the final two weeks of the standard 28-day limit.
The Regulations apply to the entirety of the United Kingdom and govern the sentencing oversight of persons subject to service law.
The Taxation of Chargeable Gains (Gilt-edged Securities) Order 2026
This Order specifies eleven additional sterling-denominated government securities as 'gilt-edged securities' for the purposes of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.
By designating these securities, the Treasury ensures that any gains realized on their disposal are exempt from capital gains tax for individuals and corporation tax for companies.
The order applies to any person or corporate entity disposing of the listed securities, which include various Treasury Gilts and Index-linked Treasury Gilts maturing between 2029 and 2056.