Armed Forces and Veterans Legislation

Regulations governing military personnel, veterans support, service benefits, and armed forces administration.

The Firearms Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2025

The Firearms Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2025 bring into force sections 1 and 2 of the Firearms Act 2023 on May 1st, 2025.

Section 1 clarifies the rules regarding miniature rifles at shooting galleries, allowing their use without a firearms certificate under certain conditions.

Section 2 introduces a new offense for possessing ammunition components with the intent to manufacture ammunition.

The regulations extend to England, Wales, and Scotland.

The Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 increase fees for various immigration, nationality, and passport services across multiple schedules.

These amendments, effective April and May 2025, adjust numerous fees in the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 and the Passport (Fees) Regulations 2022.

Amendments also clarify references to updated appendices within Immigration Rules.

Furthermore, regulations remove fee entries for assessment of overseas qualifications not operational from 1 May 2025.

The Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2025

This Order amends the 2011 Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme.

It increases the weekly armed forces independence payment to £187.45 and the Motability payment to £77.05.

Additionally, it adds a new descriptor to Schedule 3, covering overuse injuries of the larynx requiring operative treatment, making a temporary award permanent.

The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran's Relief) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective April 6, 2025, adjust National Insurance contribution rates and thresholds for Class 2 and Class 3 contributions.

They also adjust the prescribed percentage of estimated benefit expenditure for payments into the National Insurance Fund for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and extend zero-rate contributions for armed forces veterans to the 2025-26 tax year.

The changes are based on a Treasury review of earnings and estimated benefit expenditure.

The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 3rd Mar 25

The Armed Forces (Discharge and Transfer to the Reserve Forces) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective March 24, 2025, amend the 2009 regulations.

Key changes include removing the requirement for place of enlistment and officer conduct assessment from discharge certificates and replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms throughout the 2009 regulations.

The amendments aim to improve efficiency and ensure inclusivity.

These regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and British overseas territories (excluding Gibraltar).

The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2025

This order modifies UK legislation following the introduction of the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) in Scotland.

It amends several acts related to social security and taxation, preventing double payments where SADLA and other benefits overlap, and adjusting treatment of SADLA in defining disability for various purposes across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The order ensures consistent treatment of SADLA recipients across the UK.

The Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend various armed forces pension schemes, including the 1975, 2005, and Reserve Forces schemes.

Key changes include removing outdated definitions, correcting cross-references, and updating provisions related to continuity of service. These amendments aim to increase clarity and consistency across different schemes, streamlining administrative processes and ensuring a fairer calculation of pension entitlements for service members.

The Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (Persons Abroad and Mariners) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective April 6, 2025, extend statutory neonatal care pay eligibility under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to individuals working abroad, mariners, and those employed on the continental shelf.

The regulations specify conditions for eligibility, including employment location, employer liability for national insurance contributions, and periods of employment in the EEA. They also clarify the treatment of individuals under existing UK and EU social security legislation and establish procedures for compliance with time limits, particularly for those temporarily outside of the UK.