Legislation Published May 2026
44 statutory instruments were made in May 2026, with transport and justice serving as the most frequent areas of regulatory activity. Airspace restrictions, including 11 instruments designating temporary no-fly zones for public events and police bases, formed the largest single category by volume. Notable individual instruments included the Veterans’ Compensation and Preferential Treatment Act 2017, which established a statutory basis for veteran support, and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which brought medical treatment at sporting and cultural events under Care Quality Commission oversight. Additionally, the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees (Amendment) Order 2026 introduced new costs for legal proceedings related to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Most significant this month: The Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Summary
- 29th May 26 The regulations defined the procedure for resolving disputes about whether information requested under an anti-avoidance notice in the Finance Act 2026 is privileged, including referral to the tribunal. View Finance Justice
- 29th May 26 The Regulations set staggered commencement dates of July 1, 2026, and January 1, 2027, for specific unfair dismissal provisions within the Employment Rights Act 2025 and included transitional rules. View Labour
- 28th May 26 This correction notice amends a textual error in Article 6 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026 by replacing 'the Schedule' with 'Schedule 1'. View Housing Local Government
- 28th May 26 Amended insolvency procedures by removing fax filing, increasing London bankruptcy petition limits, and updating judicial terminology. View Economy Finance Justice Technology
- 27th May 26 A formal correction was issued in May 2026 for the 2026 Regulations concerning fees for registration of births, deaths, marriages, and civil partnerships in England and Wales, adding a regulation note and correcting a row reference in the Schedule. View Justice Local Government
- 27th May 26 The legal instrument corrected specified technical errors and omissions within the associated A46 Coventry Junctions (Walsgrave) Development Consent Order 2026 following a formal request. View Infrastructure Justice Local Government Transport
- 26th May 26 The regulations applied existing behaviour improvement powers under Section 29A of the 2002 Act and related 2010 Regulations to Academies and Pupil Referral Units in England, mandated specific review timings for pre-existing pupil requirements, and corrected references to Educational, Health and Care (EHC) plans in subordinate legislation. View Education Justice Local Government
- 26th May 26 Updated the list of UK airports authorized for international customs and excise purposes and removed five airports from that list. View Economy Transport Trade
- 26th May 26 Activated legal provisions allowing schools to access social security data to verify free school meal eligibility starting June 2026. View Benefits and Welfare Education Justice Local Government
- 20th May 26 The Armed Forces (Pension and Compensation on Termination of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 amended the existing UK regulations governing pensions and compensation upon service termination for Armed Forces personnel. View Benefits and Welfare Defence Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 18th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2015 rules to clarify charge exemptions for overseas visitors seeking specific NHS treatments and added Hantavirus disease to the Schedule 1 list of exempt conditions, applying retrospectively to May 1st, 2026. View Finance Health and Social Care
- 18th May 26 Added hantavirus disease and its associated syndromes to the statutory list of notifiable diseases in England. View Health and Social Care Justice
- 18th May 26 Amended NHS GP contracts to remove online consultation limits and mandate electronic registration and screening data sharing. View Health and Social Care Justice Technology
- 18th May 26 The Secretary of State enacted regulations restricting unmanned aircraft flight altitudes and zones around Birmingham city centre on May 23rd and 24th, 2026, for the duration of the Birmingham Pride event. View Civil Liberties Transport
- 15th May 26 The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 were revoked, ending emergency flight restrictions over Bristol effective immediately on May 15th, 2026. View Infrastructure Transport
- 15th May 26 The Regulations formally defined 'digital sequence information' in relation to marine genetic resources for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026. View Environment Foreign Policy Justice Science
- 15th May 26 The regulations amended the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) Regulations 2010 by inserting definitions for 'the land' and 'local authority' and designating the host local authority as a Prescribed Public Authority eligible to charge fees. View Energy Infrastructure Local Government
- 15th May 26 The regulations imposed temporary flight restrictions over Edinburgh airspace for specific periods between June 27th and July 3rd, 2026, to ensure public safety during the State Opening of the Scottish Parliament and Royal Week. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 15th May 26 The Regulations imposed temporary flight restrictions on unmanned aircraft around Wembley Stadium for a specified period on May 16th, 2026, to ensure public safety during the FA Cup Final. View Justice Local Government Technology Transport
- 15th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2023 rules governing the Responsible Actors Scheme by correcting language, omitting a prohibition notice, and modifying exceptions related to building control prohibitions for various building works and property transfers. View Housing Infrastructure Justice
- 15th May 26 The Regulations amended existing 2017 conservation law to establish specific compensatory measure requirements and administrative processes for certain UK offshore wind projects approved despite negative site assessments. View Devolution Energy Environment Local Government
- 14th May 26 The regulations revoked prior statutory instruments granting immunities and privileges to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, effective March 31, 2027. View Economy Foreign Policy Justice Trade
- 14th May 26 The Order specified independent remuneration panels as relevant for determining allowances paid to commissioners in Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities, coming into force on 4th June 2026. View Devolution Local Government
- 14th May 26 The regulations imposed flight limitations on unmanned aircraft below 1,350 feet around the Lippitt's Hill NPAS base, designated as EGR1U082, and revoked the preceding 2025 regulations. View Defence Justice Technology Transport
- 14th May 26 * The regulations imposed new flight height and area restrictions on unmanned aircraft near the Almondsbury National Police Air Service base and simultaneously revoked the 2025 restriction regulations. View Justice Technology Transport
- 14th May 26 The Regulations established a new restricted airspace zone (EGR2U063) below 1,550 feet around the Husbands Bosworth National Police Air Service base, prohibiting unauthorized unmanned aircraft flights and revoking the previous 2025 restrictions. View Defence Justice Technology Transport
- 14th May 26 The Regulations imposed restrictions on unmanned aircraft flying below 1,700 feet around Gatcombe Park, designating airspace EGR1U083, effective May 14, 2026. View Civil Liberties Defence Justice Transport
- 14th May 26 The regulations imposed a height restriction on unmanned aircraft operations near the Carr Gate National Police Air Service base and simultaneously revoked the preceding 2025 restriction order. View Defence Justice Technology Transport
- 14th May 26 The Regulations brought Section 15 of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 into force immediately, and brought Section 16 into force immediately for regulation-making purposes, setting its general commencement for September 1, 2026. View Education Labour
- 13th May 26 Reclassified zero-emission goods vehicles up to 4,250kg into the Class 7 MOT regime and exempted them from standard drivers' hours and tachograph rules. View Economy Environment Justice Transport
- 11th May 26 The Regulations imposed restrictions on low-level flying around RAF Cosford airspace for specific periods between June 12th and June 14th, 2026, to protect public safety during flying displays. View Civil Liberties Transport
- 8th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2014 rules to subject temporary treatment of injury or disease at sporting and cultural events to CQC regulation, while phasing the commencement from September 2026 to December 2027. View Health and Social Care Justice
- 7th May 26 A correction notice was issued to amend typographical errors within the original Statutory Instrument by consistently changing 'Carer's Additional Person Payment' to 'Carer Additional Person Payment'. View Benefits and Welfare Devolution Finance
- 7th May 26 Corrected a typographical error in the footnote reference for a Statutory Instrument cited in the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and Tenancies (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026. View Housing Justice
- 6th May 26 Increased the statutory fees for monitoring chemical residues in livestock and animal products across England starting June 2026. View Agriculture Economy Health and Social Care
- 6th May 26 The Regulations amended the 2024 Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations by incorporating provisions related to development consent granted under the Planning Act 2008 and defining key site and development terms. View Environment Infrastructure Justice
- 5th May 26 A URL link within the Explanatory Note of The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026 was corrected to point to the accurate guidance on publishing plan data. View Infrastructure Local Government Technology
- 5th May 26 A new Article 465A was inserted into the retained Capital Requirements Regulation (EU No 575/2013) to mandate a transitional period, running from January 1st to December 31st, 2027, exempting credit institutions and certain investment firms from applying specific new PRA market risk model rules. View Economy Finance
- 5th May 26 The Secretary of State revoked the emergency flying restrictions previously imposed over the Southway, Plymouth area via a prior statutory instrument. View Infrastructure Transport
- 5th May 26 The Secretary of State imposed immediate, temporary flying restrictions below 3,500 feet over a specified one-mile radius near Bristol due to a public interest emergency, effective May 3rd, 2026. View Infrastructure Justice Local Government Transport
- 1st May 26 Updated the list of bodies to which workers can legally submit protected whistleblowing disclosures from 2 June 2026. View Culture and Sport Economy Environment Finance Housing Justice Labour Science Transport
- 1st May 26 Amended the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees Order 2013 to introduce new fees for proceedings under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and updated definitions and fee structures. View Housing Justice Local Government
- 1st May 26 Specific parts of the Football Governance Act 2025, covering owner suitability, club duties, and IFR investigatory powers, were brought into force on May 5, 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice
- 1st May 26 The Secretary of State made regulations imposing temporary flight restrictions below 3,500 feet around Headcorn Aerodrome for flying displays scheduled from June 26th to June 28th, 2026. View Justice Transport
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Almondsbury) (Restricted Area EGR1U081) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Almondsbury) (Restricted Area EGR1U081) Regulations 2026 establish a mandatory flight restriction for unmanned aircraft below 1,300 feet above mean sea level within a 0.5 nautical mile radius centered on specific coordinates near Almondsbury due to security and public safety concerns related to the National Police Air Service base located there; these regulations revoke the previous 2025 equivalent restrictions and exempt aircraft operated by or on behalf of the NPAS or flying under specific NPAS permission, coming into force on May 14th, 2026.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State on May 12th, 2026, implement restrictions on the flight of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,550 feet above mean sea level within a specifically defined geographical area surrounding the National Police Air Service base at Husbands Bosworth due to security and public safety concerns, while explicitly excluding aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service; simultaneously, these Regulations revoke the previous 2025 restrictions concerning the same location.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone, designated EGR1U083, around Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, prohibiting unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within specified geographic coordinates due to security considerations related to the presence of Royal Family members; these rules came into force on May 14, 2026, and revoke a previous restriction order, while allowing exemptions for specific emergency services and authorized security personnel.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Area EGR3U053) Regulations 2026
These 2026 Regulations establish a prohibition on operating unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a defined circular area centered at 534238N 0013222W, near the National Police Air Service base at Carr Gate, due to necessary security and public safety considerations; the rules exempt aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service or those flying with their explicit permission, and these rules simultaneously revoke the previous 2025 restriction order for the area.
These 2026 Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, set the commencement dates for specific provisions within the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, primarily bringing Section 15 (support for lifelong learning) into force the day after the Regulations are made, and implementing Section 16 (amendments to the Higher Education and Research Act 2017) immediately for regulation-making purposes, with its general commencement delayed until September 1, 2026.
The Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations modify the roadworthiness testing and operational rules for zero-emission goods vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 4,250kg.
The instrument shifts these specific vehicles from the heavy vehicle testing regime into the Class 7 MOT system and exempts them from assimilated EU drivers' hours and tachograph requirements.
These changes apply to vehicle owners and transport undertakings in England, Wales, and Scotland, while also mandating a periodic review of the new rules every five years by the Secretary of State.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Cosford Airshow) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary, restricted flight zone around the Royal Air Force Cosford site in Shropshire to ensure public safety during scheduled flying displays set to take place from June 12th to June 14th, 2026, by prohibiting aircraft from flying below 5,300 feet above mean sea level within a 6 nautical mile radius of the centre point, except for aircraft operating under specific permissions granted by air traffic control or the Airshow Flying Display Director.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, amend the 2014 Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations by removing two specific exemptions from the definition of 'regulated activities' concerning the temporary treatment of disease, disorder, or injury provided at sporting grounds, gymnasiums, or during cultural events; consequently, such treatments will become subject to regulation by the Care Quality Commission, while an exception for incidental transport services during these events is retained, with amendments coming into force in phases starting September 2026 and fully by December 2027 across England and Wales.