Benefits and Welfare Legislation
Legislative framework for social security, welfare benefits, universal credit, pension schemes, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
The Child Trust Funds (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective July 15, 2025, amend the 2004 Child Trust Funds Regulations.
Specifically, they extend the period during which certain investments (units or shares in recognised UCITS, or those within umbrella schemes) are considered qualifying investments until December 31, 2026.
This prevents those investments from losing their qualified status and safeguards children's savings.
The Individual Savings Account (Amendment) Regulations 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.