Benefits and Welfare Legislation
Legislative framework for social security, welfare benefits, universal credit, pension schemes, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
The Individual Savings Account (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005
The 2025 regulations amended the 1998 Individual Savings Account Regulations to clarify definitions, update subscription rules, and limit withdrawals.
These regulations amend the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998, clarifying definitions, updating subscription rules, and limiting withdrawals.
Key changes include defining "long-term asset fund," requiring national insurance information for non-junior ISA subscriptions, restricting replacement subscriptions to the original account, preventing withdrawals that reduce the current year's subscription below zero, and specifying qualifying investments for stocks and shares and innovative finance components until the end of 2026.
The changes mostly take effect from July 15th, 2025, except for one regulation commencing April 6th, 2027.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2025 brought into force specific sections of the 2024 Act, concerning victim impact statements, major incident advocacy, and information sharing, commencing June 25, 2025.
These regulations, effective June 25, 2025, implement several sections of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
Key provisions include allowing victims of certain crimes to submit impact statements at mental health tribunals and appointing a standing advocate for victims of major incidents.
The regulations also clarify information-sharing practices and data protection concerns related to these processes.
These provisions represent the seventh set of commencement regulations under the 2024 Act.
The Allocation of Housing (Qualification Criteria for Victims of Domestic Abuse and Care Leavers) (England) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Made under: Housing Act 1996
The 2025 regulations prevented English local housing authorities from using local connection criteria when allocating housing to victims of domestic abuse and care leavers.
These regulations, effective July 10, 2025, prohibit English local housing authorities from using local connection criteria when allocating housing to victims of domestic abuse and care leavers.
The regulations define 'domestic abuse' according to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and specify 'eligible', 'relevant', and 'former relevant children' by referencing the Children Act 1989.
The aim is to improve housing access for these vulnerable groups.
The Payment Services and Payment Accounts (Contract Termination) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
The 2025 Regulations amended the Payment Services Regulations 2017 and Payment Accounts Regulations 2015, strengthening consumer rights related to contract termination for payment services by implementing longer notice periods and requiring more detailed reasons for refusal or termination.
The Payment Services and Payment Accounts (Contract Termination) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective April 28, 2026, amend existing regulations to enhance consumer protection regarding payment service contract terminations.
Key changes include increased notice periods (90 days for contracts made on or after April 28, 2026), requirements for more detailed explanations of contract refusals and terminations, and specific exceptions for situations involving money laundering, serious crime, or immigration requirements.
These amendments aim to improve transparency and fairness in the termination of payment service contracts.
The National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Exemptions for Certain Foreign Power Investment Funds, Education, Government Administration and Public Bodies) Regulations 2025
- Benefits and Welfare
- Defence
- Devolution
- Economy
- Education
- Foreign Policy
- Justice
- Local Government
- Transport
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: National Security Act 2023
The regulations exempted certain foreign investment funds, educational and governmental services, and UK public body arrangements from the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.
These regulations, enacted under the National Security Act 2023, exempt specific categories of activities from the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.
The exemptions cover certain foreign power investment funds focused primarily on overseas investments, educational arrangements supporting students in the UK, administrative and technical services provided by foreign powers, and arrangements involving UK public bodies (excluding those related to political influence).
The aim is to streamline the registration process while maintaining national security.
The Pension Fund Clearing Obligation Exemption (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
The 2025 regulations amended the transitional provision in Article 89(1) of Regulation (EU) 648/2012, removing a time limit on a pension fund derivative contract clearing obligation exemption.
The Pension Fund Clearing Obligation Exemption (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend Regulation (EU) 648/2012 to remove a time limit on the exemption of certain pension fund derivative contracts from the clearing obligation.
This eliminates the previous 18 June 2023 deadline, extending the exemption indefinitely.
The regulations were made by the Treasury, following consultation with relevant authorities.
A de minimis impact assessment accompanies the regulations, justifying the lack of a full impact analysis.
The Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020
The 2025 regulations amended the 2020 Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) Regulations to clarify the right of appeal against deportation decisions, aligning it with the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
The Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2020 Regulations to modify the right of appeal against deportation decisions.
The amendment ensures that the right of appeal only arises after an individual has been given the opportunity to make representations to the Secretary of State and the decision to deport has been finalized, aligning it with the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
This change aims to improve procedural fairness and potentially streamline the appeals process.
The School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Education
- Made under: Education Act 1996
The 2025 regulations amended the 2007 School Travel Regulations to update the definition of 'child with no fixed abode', addressing legislative changes caused by the revocation of the 2006 regulations.
These regulations amend the 2007 School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) Regulations to update the definition of 'child who has no fixed abode'.
The amendment replaces the previous definition, which referenced a now-revoked regulation, with a gender-neutral version mirroring the original wording.
The regulations came into force on June 30th, 2025, and apply to England and Wales.