Legislation Published September 2026
90 statutory instruments were made in September 2026, with airspace restrictions and justice-related amendments forming the largest categories of legislation. Significant changes to the justice system were introduced by the Sentencing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 6 and Revocation) Regulations 2026, which set a phased timeline for reducing the time most prisoners must serve before release. Financial and administrative adjustments were also prominent, including the Individual Savings Account (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, which introduced a £12,000 cash ISA limit for individuals under 65. Additionally, the Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 extended the time limit for bringing employment tribunal claims from three to six months.
Most significant this month: The Sentencing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 6 and Revocation) Regulations 2026
Summary
- 21st Sept 26 Authorized the sharing of data with energy suppliers to assist customers in debt and added new government departments to the list of bodies permitted to share information for specified objectives. View Benefits and Welfare Economy Energy Justice Technology
- 18th Sept 26 Established a temporary no-fly zone below 8,500 feet around RAF Coningsby for a flying display on 26 September 2026. View Culture and Sport Defence Infrastructure Transport
- 18th Sept 26 Set the legal conditions and administrative procedures for approving and operating private landlord redress schemes in England under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. View Housing Justice Local Government
- 18th Sept 26 Commenced the remaining provisions of the 2025 Act to limit postal vote durations and align expiry dates for different election types in Scotland and Wales. View Devolution Justice Local Government
- 18th Sept 26 Adjusted the Building Safety Levy framework to exclude student housing from dwelling definitions and refined the criteria for previously developed land. View Housing Infrastructure Justice Local Government
- 18th Sept 26 Authorized fourteen local authorities to charge daily fees for roadworks carried out during busy times on specific highways. View Infrastructure Local Government Transport
- 18th Sept 26 Updated Northern Ireland's plant health and seed marketing laws to align with the Windsor Framework and EU standards. View Agriculture Environment Justice Trade
- 17th Sept 26 Cancelled emergency flight restrictions in Chapeltown, South Yorkshire, effective immediately on 17 September 2026. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 17th Sept 26 Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft near Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock during the 2026 Labour Party Conference. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 17th Sept 26 Restricted flying in the vicinity of RAF Waddington on 26 September 2026 to ensure public safety during aerial displays. View Culture and Sport Defence Transport
- 16th Sept 26 Corrected typographical errors in the Explanatory Note of the 2026 Customs Regulations regarding internal regulation numbering. View Economy Finance Trade
- 16th Sept 26 Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Chapeltown due to a local emergency. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 16th Sept 26 Excluded Irish Mother and Baby Institutions redress payments from local authority social care financial assessments. View Benefits and Welfare Health and Social Care Local Government
- 16th Sept 26 Updated the Ministry of Defence Police disciplinary code to mandate dismissal for gross misconduct and simplified performance management into a two-stage process. View Justice Labour Armed Forces and Veterans
- 15th Sept 26 Restricted airspace below 2,000 feet near Shobdon Aerodrome for the Royal Aero Club Air Race in September 2026. View Culture and Sport Transport
- 15th Sept 26 Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft at Mayflower Park, Southampton, during the 2026 International Boat Show. View Culture and Sport Local Government Transport
- 15th Sept 26 Established the procedures for calculating, paying, and enforcing the Nature Restoration Levy for English development projects. View Economy Environment Infrastructure Justice Local Government
- 15th Sept 26 Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of Millbrook, Bedfordshire, on 16 and 17 September 2026. View Culture and Sport Infrastructure Justice Technology Transport
- 14th Sept 26 Introduced a £12,000 cash ISA limit for under-65s and a tax charge on interest from cash held in investment ISAs. View Economy Finance Justice
- 14th Sept 26 Authorized the use of digital identification for age verification in licensed premises across England and Wales. View Culture and Sport Justice Local Government Technology
- 13th Sept 26 Corrected typographical errors and citation formatting in the 2026 insolvency amendment rules. View Economy Justice
- 13th Sept 26 Corrected typographical and referencing errors in the primary 2026 energy savings regulations. View Economy Energy Environment
- 11th Sept 26 Raised the minimum tax-loss threshold for publicly naming deliberate tax defaulters from £25,000 to £50,000. View Economy Finance Justice
- 11th Sept 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,300 feet near Virginia Water during the 2026 PGA Championship. View Civil Liberties Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 11th Sept 26 Abolished the office of the Information Commissioner and transferred all regulatory functions to the Information Commission effective September 2026. View Economy Justice Technology
- 11th Sept 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,600 feet near Stockwood Park, Luton, during a large public gathering on 12 September 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 11th Sept 26 Adjusted the HGV Road User Levy rates for various vehicle categories and emissions classes starting 1 April 2024. View Economy Environment Finance Transport
- 10th Sept 26 Established a temporary restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in Doncaster during the 2026 St Leger Festival. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 10th Sept 26 Extended the statutory deadline for the UK government to respond to the Climate Change Committee's 2026 report to 17 December 2026. View Energy Environment
- 10th Sept 26 Increased the hourly rates for vehicle examinations and introduced new charges for specialist technical analysis and the use of government testing equipment. View Economy Environment Infrastructure Justice Science Technology Transport
- 10th Sept 26 Amended immigration fee structures to exempt detainees from certain human rights application costs and updated fees for Isle of Man work routes. View Civil Liberties Devolution Economy Immigration Justice
- 10th Sept 26 Defined the criteria for determining the primary use of multi-purpose premises to clarify responsibilities under counter-terrorism protection laws. View Devolution Justice Local Government
- 10th Sept 26 Authorized private contractors at short-term holding facilities to take photographs of migrants for immigration purposes starting October 2026. View Civil Liberties Immigration Justice
- 10th Sept 26 Activated statutory requirements for Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews in England and Wales starting 15 September 2026. View Devolution Health and Social Care Justice Local Government
- 10th Sept 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in a specific area of Middlesbrough on 10 September 2026 for public safety. View Justice Local Government Transport
- 10th Sept 26 Prohibited unauthorized aircraft from flying below 6,500 feet near Longleat during scheduled flying displays in September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 9th Sept 26 Designated a new customs free zone at Freeport East and appointed Assan Panel UK Limited as its responsible authority for ten years. View Economy Infrastructure Justice Trade
- 9th Sept 26 Raised the legal maximum limits for immigration, nationality, and passport fees and expanded the scope of chargeable electronic travel services. View Economy Immigration Justice
- 9th Sept 26 Authorized a pilot program in four magistrates' courts allowing for regular judicial reviews and amendments of community and suspended sentence orders for adult female offenders. View Civil Liberties Justice
- 9th Sept 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Sutton Scotney area of Hampshire with immediate effect. View Transport
- 9th Sept 26 Reduced the fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates and the criminal record update service. View Economy Justice Labour Local Government
- 9th Sept 26 Reduced the fees for criminal conviction, criminal record, and enhanced criminal record certificates in Jersey. View Devolution Economy Justice
- 9th Sept 26 Reduced the fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates and update service requests in the Isle of Man starting 5 October 2026. View Devolution Justice Local Government
- 9th Sept 26 Lowered the statutory fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record checks and update services in Guernsey. View Devolution Economy Justice
- 9th Sept 26 Established the legal methodology for calculating and verifying carbon emissions for goods imported under the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starting January 2027. View Economy Environment Finance Justice Trade
- 9th Sept 26 Designated 9 September 2026 as the date for new public access rights to commence on specific coastal segments of the Isle of Wight. View Culture and Sport Environment Justice
- 9th Sept 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two areas of Middlesbrough on 9 September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 9th Sept 26 Removed the £250,000 statutory cap on variable monetary penalties for environmental offences in England. View Economy Environment Justice Local Government
- 8th Sept 26 Activated late payment and repayment interest rules for the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism effective January 2027. View Economy Environment Finance Trade
- 8th Sept 26 Raised the maximum legal limits for immigration and nationality fees and introduced new chargeable service categories. View Economy Finance Immigration Justice
- 8th Sept 26 Adjusted the maximum legal limits for immigration and nationality fees including work visas and citizenship applications. View Economy Immigration Justice Labour
- 8th Sept 26 Updated the annual income thresholds for Plan 1, 2, 3, and 5 student loan repayments effective from 6 April 2025. View Economy Education Finance
- 8th Sept 26 Raised the annual immigration health surcharge for adults to £1,035 and for students and children to £776. View Economy Health and Social Care Immigration
- 8th Sept 26 Reclassified Bhutan's trade status and updated UK customs reference documents to introduce new commodity codes and adjust tariff quotas. View Economy Finance Trade
- 8th Sept 26 Prohibited unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,000 feet within a 3-nautical-mile radius of Sutton Scotney due to an emergency. View Justice Transport
- 8th Sept 26 Expanded the scope of immigration fees to include priority processing and adjusted the cost of the Life in the UK test. View Economy Immigration Justice
- 8th Sept 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two designated zones in Middlesbrough during specified hours on 8 September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 7th Sept 26 Adjusted the types and quantities of alcohol that travellers can bring into Great Britain without paying excise duty. View Economy Finance Transport Trade
- 7th Sept 26 Classified fifteen synthetic opioids and one synthetic cannabinoid as Class A controlled drugs effective 20 March 2024. View Health and Social Care Justice
- 7th Sept 26 Removed the £250,000 cap on variable monetary penalties for environmental offenses in England. View Environment Justice Local Government
- 7th Sept 26 Restricted the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet in Tenby during a public gathering in September 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Local Government Transport
- 7th Sept 26 Restricted unmanned aircraft flight in specific Middlesbrough zones for public safety on 7 September 2026. View Infrastructure Justice Transport
- 6th Sept 26 Corrected a typographical error in a statutory instrument reference within the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Administrative Provisions) Regulations 2026. View Economy Environment Justice Trade
- 6th Sept 26 Corrected typographical errors and statutory references in the regulations governing Court Martial sentence reviews. View Defence Justice Armed Forces and Veterans
- 4th Sept 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two areas of Middlesbrough on 4 September 2026 for public safety and security. View Justice Technology Transport
- 4th Sept 26 Activated multiple provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 concerning anti-social behaviour, SIM farms, police conduct lists, and extradition procedures. View Civil Liberties Housing Justice Local Government Technology
- 4th Sept 26 Extended the time limit for bringing employment tribunal claims from three months to six months, effective from 1 October 2026. View Economy Justice Labour
- 3rd Sept 26 Corrected a drafting error in the fee-related schedule of the 2026 maritime regulations. View Finance Transport Trade
- 3rd Sept 26 Corrected cross-reference and typographical errors in the 2026 Clergy Conduct Rules. View Justice
- 3rd Sept 26 Expanded trade sanctions to prohibit the import of Russian iron and steel products processed in third countries starting December 2024. View Economy Foreign Policy Justice Trade
- 3rd Sept 26 Revoked the emergency regulations that restricted flying in the vicinity of Pantside, Wales. View Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Cancelled emergency airspace restrictions in Pontypridd, South Wales, effective 3 September 2026. View Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Cancelled emergency flight restrictions in the Llantrisant area of South Wales with immediate effect. View Justice Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Removed emergency flight restrictions in the Dowlais area of South Wales effective 3 September 2026. View Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Middlesborough area with immediate effect on 3 September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Blaenavon area of South Wales with immediate effect on 3 September 2026. View Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Revoked emergency airspace restrictions in Ringwood, Hampshire, with immediate effect on 3 September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 3rd Sept 26 Introduced mandatory three-year enhanced DBS checks for pharmacy staff and restricted pharmacists from dispensing prescriptions issued by their own employees. View Health and Social Care Justice Labour
- 2nd Sept 26 Authorized regulators to impose civil financial penalties and stop notices for environmental offenses in England. View Agriculture Environment Justice Local Government
- 2nd Sept 26 Added fifteen synthetic opioids to the list of Class A controlled drugs and reclassified one cannabinoid receptor agonist from Class B to Class A. View Health and Social Care Justice Science
- 2nd Sept 26 Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet in Blackpool on 4 September 2026. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 2nd Sept 26 Established a temporary restricted no-fly zone below 6,000 feet in the vicinity of Ayr for the 2026 International Ayr Show. View Culture and Sport Transport
- 2nd Sept 26 Established temporary no-fly zones and altitude limits across Ceredigion to manage airspace safety during the 2026 Rali Ceredigion motor rally. View Culture and Sport Justice Transport
- 2nd Sept 26 Activated new sentencing laws that reduce the time most prisoners must serve before release, implemented via a phased timeline between October 2026 and June 2027. View Civil Liberties Defence Justice Transport
- 1st Sept 26 Removed emergency flight restrictions in Billing, Northampton with immediate effect from 1 September 2026. View Justice Transport
- 1st Sept 26 Ended emergency flight restrictions in the Deri area of South Wales with immediate effect on 1 September 2026. View Transport
- 1st Sept 26 Ended emergency flight restrictions in the Stourbridge area with immediate effect on 1 September 2026. View Transport
- 1st Sept 26 Ended emergency flight restrictions in the Lewes area with immediate effect on 1 September 2026. View Transport
- 1st Sept 26 Brought into force updated statutory guidance for identifying and protecting vulnerable individuals within the immigration detention system. View Civil Liberties Health and Social Care Immigration Justice
- 1st Sept 26 Revoked emergency flight restrictions in the Ferndale area of South Wales with immediate effect. View Justice Transport
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Reduced the fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates and the criminal record update service.
These Regulations reduce the fees charged for various types of criminal record checks and the criminal record update service in England and Wales.
The order lowers the cost of basic and standard certificates to £20, reduces enhanced certificate fees to £41, and adjusts the update service fee to £15.
These changes apply to any individual or employer applying for a certificate or update information through the Disclosure and Barring Service starting from 5 October 2026.
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Jersey) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Reduced the fees for criminal conviction, criminal record, and enhanced criminal record certificates in Jersey.
These regulations reduce the fees charged for various criminal record checks and update services in Jersey.
The Secretary of State exercises powers under the Police Act 1997, as extended to Jersey, to lower the cost of basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates as well as the annual subscription to the update service. The changes apply to individuals and employers in Jersey seeking background checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) framework.
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Isle of Man) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Reduced the fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates and update service requests in the Isle of Man starting 5 October 2026.
These Regulations decrease the fees charged for various criminal record certificates and update services in the Isle of Man.
The Secretary of State directs these changes to apply to basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record certificates, as well as the annual subscription for the update service. The measures apply to individuals and organizations in the Isle of Man requesting criminal record information under the Police Act 1997.
The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records and Registration) (Guernsey) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Lowered the statutory fees for basic, standard, and enhanced criminal record checks and update services in Guernsey.
These Regulations reduce the fees charged for various types of criminal record certificates and update services in Guernsey.
The measure applies to individuals applying for basic, standard, or enhanced criminal record checks and those utilizing the update service for certificate monitoring.
By amending existing 2009 regulations, the Secretary of State lowers the cost of standard and basic certificates to £20, enhanced certificates to £41, and update service requests to £15.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Emissions and Verification) Regulations 2026
Established the legal methodology for calculating and verifying carbon emissions for goods imported under the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starting January 2027.
These regulations establish the technical framework for calculating emissions embodied in goods imported into the UK under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The document directs importers to determine emissions using either Treasury-published default values or a multi-step calculation based on verified emissions data from the production installation.
It authorizes HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Treasury to publish notices specifying monitoring methodologies, verification standards, and accreditation requirements for independent verifiers.
These rules apply to registered and registrable persons importing goods such as cement and fertilizers, as well as the operators of the installations where these goods are produced.
The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 3) Order 2026
Designated 9 September 2026 as the date for new public access rights to commence on specific coastal segments of the Isle of Wight.
This Order establishes September 9, 2026, as the date when the access preparation period ends for two specific stretches of the Isle of Wight coast: Binnel Bay to Chilton Chine and Thorness Bay to Gurnard Luck.
By ending this period, the Order triggers public access rights to the coastal margin under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
The provisions apply to Natural England, local authorities, and the public, effectively opening these sections of the England Coast Path for recreational use.
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two areas of Middlesbrough on 9 September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level in two specific areas of Middlesbrough on 9 September 2026.
The restrictions apply between 06:00 and 20:00 UTC and affect all unmanned aircraft, unless the Cleveland Police Drone Unit grants express permission for a flight.
The Secretary of State issued these directions under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to protect public safety and security.
The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Removed the £250,000 statutory cap on variable monetary penalties for environmental offences in England.
This Order amends the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010 to remove the £250,000 limit on variable monetary penalties that regulators, such as the Environment Agency, can impose for environmental offences.
The changes apply to enforcement actions in England concerning breaches of environmental regulations, including water quality and waste management.
By removing the cap, the legislation authorizes regulators to determine the size of a penalty based on the specific circumstances of the offence without a statutory maximum.