Legislation Published July 2026
101 statutory instruments were made in July 2026, with transport and justice-related orders forming the highest volume of legislation. Airspace restrictions for festivals, emergencies, and sporting events accounted for a significant portion of the monthly total. Notable individual instruments included the Post Office Horizon System Offences Act 2024, which quashed historical convictions linked to faulty IT systems, and the Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026, which established a mandatory electronic system for monitoring controlled waste. Additionally, the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Order 2026 designated eleven new government bonds as tax-exempt gilt-edged securities.
Most significant this month: The Pleasure Craft (Arrival and Report) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Summary
- 15th Jul 26 Activated updated statutory guidance for identifying and managing vulnerable adults in immigration detention effective 21 August 2024. View Civil Liberties Health and Social Care Immigration Justice
- 15th Jul 26 Exonerated subpostmasters and others by quashing historical convictions linked to the faulty Horizon IT system and mandated the clearing of related criminal records. View Devolution Economy Justice Labour
- 15th Jul 26 Revised upwards the maximum fixed penalty fines for fly-tipping and littering offences in England effective 1 September 2026. View Environment Justice Local Government
- 15th Jul 26 Reorganized High Court specialist lists into a new Business and Property Division and introduced procedural rules for anti-social behaviour respect orders. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 15th Jul 26 Renamed the High Court's Chancery Division and transferred the Admiralty and Commercial Courts into this newly titled Business and Property Division. View Economy Justice
- 15th Jul 26 Adjusted the initial registration deadlines and accounting periods for the new UK carbon import tax system. View Economy Environment Finance Trade
- 15th Jul 26 Commenced the remaining sections of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 and established a phased implementation schedule for marine resource collection notices. View Environment Foreign Policy Justice Science
- 15th Jul 26 Added fifteen synthetic opioids to the list of Class A controlled substances and updated classifications for several other synthetic compounds. View Health and Social Care Justice
- 15th Jul 26 Revised the eligibility criteria and sectors for Climate Change Levy discounts and updated the buy-out fee calculation formula. View Agriculture Economy Energy Environment Finance Technology
- 15th Jul 26 Exempted specific classes of tax advisers, including IOSS representatives and local government tax specialists, from the requirement to register with HMRC. View Economy Finance Justice Local Government
- 15th Jul 26 Raised the Welsh Government's capital borrowing limit from £1,000 million to £1,100 million. View Devolution Economy Finance Infrastructure Local Government
- 15th Jul 26 Amended pension reporting regulations to require scheme administrators and insurers to provide valuation and beneficiary data for inheritance tax purposes starting April 2027. View Finance Justice
- 15th Jul 26 Brought the 2026 Equality Act Code of Practice into force on 5th August 2026. View Civil Liberties Economy Justice Local Government
- 15th Jul 26 Restricted unmanned aircraft flight near Blandford Forum for a Royal visit on 16 July 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within a specific area of Cardiff on 16 July 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Established an emergency restricted flight zone below 3,000 feet around Dovestones Reservoir. View Justice Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Revoked the emergency flight restrictions at Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester, with immediate effect. View Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Established the formulas for calculating UK CBAM rates and defined the verification procedures for importers to claim relief for carbon prices paid abroad. View Economy Environment Finance Justice Trade
- 14th Jul 26 Established a temporary restricted flight zone below 3,000 feet around Dovestones Reservoir due to a local emergency. View Justice Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Established a framework for HMRC to use electronic communications by default for specified tax matters and mandated the provision of digital contact details by service users. View Economy Finance Technology
- 14th Jul 26 Set the commencement dates and transitional registration rules for the mandatory HMRC registration of tax advisers. View Economy Finance Justice
- 14th Jul 26 Designated the Northern Ireland Events Company and the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery as public authorities subject to equality duties. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Devolution Health and Social Care Justice
- 14th Jul 26 Established mandatory notification procedures and data requirements for venues and events covered by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Local Government Technology
- 14th Jul 26 Established administrative procedures, registration requirements, and record-keeping standards for the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starting January 2027. View Economy Environment Finance Justice Trade
- 14th Jul 26 Restricted flight activities below 5,600 feet near Saltby for an aerobatic competition in mid-2026. View Culture and Sport Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Restricted unmanned aircraft flights below 1,500 feet in a specified area of Rotherham due to an emergency. View Justice Technology Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Increased the annual immigration health surcharge rates for visa applicants and their dependents. View Finance Health and Social Care Immigration
- 14th Jul 26 Empowered environmental regulators in England to impose civil penalties and administrative sanctions as alternatives to criminal prosecution for environmental offenses. View Agriculture Environment Justice Local Government
- 14th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in specified Bedford airspace during July 18–19, 2026, to ensure public safety during a large event. View Culture and Sport Justice Local Government Transport
- 14th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Charlbury during the 2026 Wilderness Festival for public safety and security. View Culture and Sport Justice Technology Transport
- 13th Jul 26 Adjusted the licensing hour extensions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to account for match delays and postponements. View Culture and Sport Economy Justice Local Government
- 13th Jul 26 Reconstituted the Ramsey Internal Drainage Board by reducing its elected membership from nine to five. View Agriculture Environment Justice Local Government
- 13th Jul 26 Updated various childcare regulations to ban dangerous dog breeds from premises, broadened harm notification requirements, and adopted the July 2026 EYFS statutory frameworks. View Benefits and Welfare Education Justice
- 13th Jul 26 Established the administrative requirements and removal procedures for the National Crime Agency's barred and advisory lists. View Justice Labour
- 13th Jul 26 Amended biodiversity gain hierarchies for non-major developments and introduced new exemptions for small-scale and temporary projects while revoking the self-build exemption. View Environment Housing Justice Local Government
- 13th Jul 26 Determined that the regulatory frameworks for central counterparties in several overseas jurisdictions are equivalent to United Kingdom standards to facilitate cross-border clearing services. View Economy Finance Trade
- 13th Jul 26 Established the procedures for maintaining, publishing, and removing names from the Ministry of Defence Police barred and advisory lists. View Civil Liberties Defence Justice Labour Armed Forces and Veterans
- 13th Jul 26 Established the administrative framework and transparency requirements for the British Transport Police Authority to maintain records of dismissed or investigated personnel. View Civil Liberties Justice Labour Transport
- 13th Jul 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft flights below 1,600 feet near Hillsborough Park, Sheffield, during a three-day period in July 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 13th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet at Crystal Palace Park during specified dates in 2026 for public safety. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Established emergency restricted airspace over Haytor, Devon, prohibiting flight below 3,500 feet without police authorization. View Justice Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Revoked the emergency flight restrictions in the Swansea area with immediate effect on July 10, 2026. View Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet within a specific radius in Swansea due to an emergency. View Civil Liberties Justice Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Designated Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Oracle as critical third parties to the UK financial system. View Economy Finance Justice Technology
- 10th Jul 26 Established temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft near Lytham St Annes to ensure public safety during a major sporting event. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Established temporary restricted airspace near Old Buckenham Aerodrome for the duration of the 2026 Airshow. View Justice Transport
- 10th Jul 26 Activated specific sections of the Sentencing Act 2026 concerning community requirements, license conditions, domestic abuse findings, and unpaid work credits. View Civil Liberties Devolution Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 9th Jul 26 Brought into force revised statutory guidance regarding the detention of vulnerable persons under the Immigration Act 2014. View Civil Liberties Immigration Justice
- 9th Jul 26 Amended the 2010 Chambers Order to allocate jurisdiction over certain business tenancy and telecommunications infrastructure disputes to the Property and Lands Chambers. View Economy Housing Infrastructure Justice Technology
- 9th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft near Murrayfield Stadium during specific windows in July 2026 to ensure public safety. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 9th Jul 26 Updated the statutory reference date for calculating the cumulative value of local authority contract and land disposals from 2006 to 2025. View Economy Justice Local Government
- 9th Jul 26 Extended the time limit for bringing employment contract claims in England and Wales from three to six months. View Economy Justice Labour
- 9th Jul 26 Extended the time limit for presenting various employment tribunal complaints from three months to six months, effective for incidents occurring on or after 1 October 2026. View Civil Liberties Economy Health and Social Care Justice Labour
- 9th Jul 26 Increased the hourly fee rates for specialist and non-specialist officers involved in the environmental regulation of offshore oil and gas activities. View Economy Energy Environment Finance Justice
- 8th Jul 26 Amended the Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 to increase capital expenditure thresholds for property and remove computer equipment from the Capital Goods Scheme. View Economy Finance Justice
- 8th Jul 26 Activated legal timeframes for the First-tier Tribunal to determine specific immigration and deportation appeals within 24 weeks. View Civil Liberties Housing Immigration Justice
- 7th Jul 26 Authorized the Environment Agency and Natural England to issue civil penalties and enforcement notices for environmental regulatory breaches in England. View Agriculture Economy Environment Justice Local Government
- 7th Jul 26 Amended the 2019 Russia sanctions regulations to clarify prohibitions on financial institutions processing payments for or benefiting designated persons. View Economy Finance Foreign Policy Justice Trade
- 7th Jul 26 Exempted two specific commissions from statutory equality and good relations duties in Northern Ireland. View Civil Liberties Devolution Justice
- 7th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft near Builth Wells, Powys, between 20 July and 23 July 2026. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 7th Jul 26 Prohibited unauthorized flight below 4,000 feet within a 3 nautical mile radius of RAF Odiham on 31 July 2026 during scheduled aerial displays. View Defence Justice Transport
- 7th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft near Lowther, Cumbria, during a public festival in late July and early August 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 7th Jul 26 Established the legal definitions and minimum requirements for live and alternative broadcasting coverage of nationally significant sporting events. View Culture and Sport Economy Justice Technology
- 6th Jul 26 Transferred the Northern School of Art from the further education sector to the higher education sector by reconstituting it as a higher education corporation. View Education
- 6th Jul 26 Amended the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 to introduce new income disregards for working-age claimants in temporary or specified accommodation. View Benefits and Welfare Housing Local Government
- 6th Jul 26 Established the mandatory information and procedural requirements for trade union workplace access requests and employer response notices starting October 2026. View Economy Justice Labour
- 6th Jul 26 Amended the 2013 Regulations to permit non-first-class postal service and revised the deemed delivery dates for documents served by charging authorities. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 6th Jul 26 Amended driving licence regulations to extend the validity of Ukrainian driving permits for residents in Great Britain under specific immigration schemes. View Immigration Justice Transport
- 6th Jul 26 Amended ecodesign rules to recognize newer EU sustainability frameworks and corrected errors in the 2026 household tumble dryer regulations. View Economy Energy Environment Technology Trade
- 6th Jul 26 Capped student loan interest rates for Plan 2 and Plan 3 loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year in England and Wales. View Devolution Economy Education Finance
- 6th Jul 26 Specified three alternative names for previously proscribed organisations to ensure they are subject to the same legal restrictions as the names listed in the Terrorism Act 2000. View Civil Liberties Justice
- 6th Jul 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Bute Park, Cardiff, on 4 July 2026 for public safety during a large gathering. View Justice Technology Transport
- 6th Jul 26 Activated the remaining provisions of Part 4 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 relating to marketing restrictions and enforcement, effective 7 January 2027. View Economy Justice Technology Transport Trade
- 6th Jul 26 Authorized temporary speed limits, contraflow operations, and nightly closures on the M48 Severn Bridge Crossing for maintenance works starting in July 2026. View Infrastructure Transport
- 6th Jul 26 Prohibited the flight of unmanned aircraft below 500 feet in a specified area of Brighton during a music festival on 16 July 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 6th Jul 26 Established mandatory content and documentation requirements for formal notices issued to landowners before authorized persons enter property for infrastructure planning purposes. View Energy Environment Infrastructure Justice Transport
- 3rd Jul 26 Amended the fee structure for criminal legal aid advocates by increasing preparation fee rates and lowering eligibility thresholds for wasted preparation claims. View Economy Finance Justice
- 3rd Jul 26 Postponed the commencement of specific procurement publication rules from October 2026 to May 2027. View Economy Local Government Technology Trade
- 3rd Jul 26 Amended existing licensing extensions to permit alcohol sales during specific late-night and early-morning FIFA World Cup matches in July 2026. View Culture and Sport Economy Justice Local Government
- 2nd Jul 26 Corrected typographical and factual errors in the Explanatory Note of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026. View Economy Energy Environment
- 2nd Jul 26 Revoked the Pensions Regulator's Code of Practice for collective defined contribution schemes effective July 31, 2026. View Benefits and Welfare Economy Finance
- 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 Economy Finance Justice
- 2nd Jul 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the vicinity of Mill Lane, Chipping Ongar, effective July 2, 2026. View Justice Transport
- 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 Benefits and Welfare Economy Finance
- 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 Economy Environment Justice Technology
- 2nd Jul 26 Designated 24th June 2026 as the date ending the access preparation period for the coastal path between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Environment Local Government
- 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 Economy Environment Finance Local Government Transport
- 2nd Jul 26 Activated legal provisions clarifying the boundary between traditional civil procedure and new online court rules in England and Wales. View Justice Technology
- 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 Civil Liberties Justice Transport
- 2nd Jul 26 Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Knebworth during July 2026. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 2nd Jul 26 Restricted flying in the vicinity of RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, during public air displays scheduled for July 2026. View Defence Transport
- 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 Culture and Sport Justice Technology
- 1st Jul 26 Amended reporting procedures for pleasure craft to permit electronic arrival notifications and clarify flag-signaling requirements. View Finance Justice Transport Trade
- 1st Jul 26 Expanded eligibility for free school lunches to pupils in maintained nursery schools in England whose parents receive Universal Credit. View Benefits and Welfare Education Local Government
- 1st Jul 26 Expanded the categories of Court Martial sentences eligible for leniency reviews and adjusted procedural deadlines for the Attorney General. View Civil Liberties Defence Immigration Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 1st Jul 26 Designated eleven specific government-issued bonds as gilt-edged securities to exempt them from capital gains and corporation tax. View Economy Environment Finance
- 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 Devolution Justice Local Government Transport
- 1st Jul 26 Specified independent remuneration panels and amended regional authority constitutions to permit allowances for members with special responsibilities. View Devolution Economy Finance Justice Local Government
- 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 Justice Transport
- 1st Jul 26 Established an emergency restricted flight zone up to 3,000 feet above mean sea level near Chipping Ongar, Essex. View Justice Transport
- 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 Culture and Sport Economy Justice Local Government
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026
This instrument removes the emergency flight restrictions previously imposed at Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester.
It restores standard airspace access by revoking the emergency regulations that prohibited flying in the specified area.
The order applies to all aircraft operators, including pilots of manned aircraft and remotely piloted UAS (drones), and takes effect immediately from 2:25 p.m. on 14 July 2026.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Calculation of CBAM Rate and Determination of Carbon Price Relief) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish the technical framework for determining the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) rate and the eligibility for carbon price relief starting 1 January 2027.
The instrument directs HM Revenue and Customs and the Treasury to oversee calculations based on UK Emissions Trading Scheme auction prices and sets strict verification standards for importers seeking to reduce their CBAM liability.
It applies to importers of specified carbon-intensive goods, requiring them to calculate an effective carbon price paid in the country of origin and maintain comprehensive records for six years.
The Secretary of State for Transport restricts all aircraft from flying below 3,000 feet above mean sea level within a 2.5 nautical mile radius of Dovestones Reservoir, Manchester.
This measure addresses an unspecified emergency situation and applies to all civil and commercial aviation, with a specific exemption for unmanned aircraft operating under the direction of Derbyshire Police. The regulations take effect immediately to ensure public interest and safety within the designated restricted airspace.
The Digital Communications and Contact Details Regulations 2026
These Regulations authorize the Commissioners for His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to designate specific taxation matters as 'default digital matters,' enabling the agency to use electronic communications with taxpayers by default unless they formally opt out.
The instrument requires individuals using HMRC online services for these matters to provide and maintain accurate digital contact details, such as email addresses.
It applies to any person or entity interacting with HMRC's digital services and empowers the Commissioners to suspend service access for those who fail to provide required contact information without a reasonable excuse.
These Regulations establish the commencement dates for the mandatory registration of tax advisers under the Finance Act 2026 and provide transitional arrangements for existing practitioners.
The order introduces a staggered implementation schedule, dividing tax advisers into four tranches based on their current HMRC digital credentials and the specific types of services they provide, such as payroll or regulated financial activities.
The Treasury directs that advisers with an existing Agent Services Account be automatically deemed registered as of 18 August 2026, while other advisers must comply by specific deadlines ranging through April 2027.
The Customs Tariff (Suspension of Import Duty Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
This statutory instrument designates the Northern Ireland Events Company and the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery as public authorities for the purposes of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
It requires these bodies to fulfill statutory duties to promote equality of opportunity between various groups, including those defined by religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, and dependency status.
The order applies to the specified authorities and integrates them into the oversight framework managed by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) (Notification Requirements) Regulations 2026
These regulations define the procedural and informational requirements for persons responsible for "qualifying premises" and "qualifying events" to notify the Security Industry Authority.
They establish specific timeframes for initial registration and the updating of inaccurate information, ranging from 14 to 28 days depending on the nature of the entity.
The regulations apply to owners and operators of venues and events across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland that meet the criteria of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, mandating the submission of detailed operational, contact, and licensing data via a specified online portal.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Administrative Provisions) Regulations 2026
These regulations establish the administrative framework for the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), detailing the requirements for persons importing CBAM goods into the United Kingdom.
The document directs importers to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), maintain specific records for six years, and submit returns containing commodity codes, product weights, and origin data.
It further authorizes HMRC officers to estimate the weight of goods for tax purposes if records are insufficient and sets strict conditions for reimbursement arrangements to prevent the unjust enrichment of claimants.