Defence Legislation
Laws and policies relating to military operations, defense procurement, armed forces administration, and national security strategy.
The Civil Nuclear Police Authority (Borrowing Limit) (Amendment) Order 2025
The Civil Nuclear Police Authority (Borrowing Limit) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective September 18, 2025, amends the Energy Act 2004.
It raises the CNPA's borrowing limit from £10 million to £30 million, enabling the authority to adequately fund its responsibilities for protecting civil nuclear sites and materials in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The amendment was approved by the Treasury.
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025
This Order modifies the Criminal Justice Act 2003, changing the conditions for automatic release of recalled prisoners in England and Wales.
It introduces stricter criteria, including a new schedule of offenses that disqualify prisoners from automatic release after 28 days (or 14 days for sentences less than 12 months).
The revised criteria consider factors such as age, sentence length, offense type, terrorist-related activity, and multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) levels.
The amendments aim to improve public safety by retaining those deemed a higher risk in custody for extended periods.
The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, specifying which public authorities can access communications data and for what reasons.
The changes add several new authorities, like the Department for Business and Trade and the Security Industry Authority, while others, such as some ambulance services, lose this power.
The amendments also fine-tune access for existing authorities, such as the Department for Transport, by limiting access depending on the specific agency within the department.
These alterations are intended to improve the targeting of investigations while maintaining safeguards against misuse.
The Road Vehicles (Type-Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025
The Road Vehicles (Type-Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 amend Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/79, updating language in Article 5 to use terms such as 'must' instead of 'shall have to'.
The regulations introduce a new Annex X outlining the procedure for extending GB type-approvals for eCall in-vehicle systems operating over circuit-switched networks.
They also allow EU-approved eCall components and separate technical units to be treated similar to GB-approved parts, enabling exemptions from some tests.
The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2025
This order amends the Terrorism Act 2000 by adding Palestine Action, Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC), and Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) to the list of proscribed organizations.
The order cites the Secretary of State's belief that these organizations engage in terrorism, and it was approved by both Houses of Parliament.
The order also includes an explanatory note which clarifies that the entry for Palestine Action refers specifically to the UK based organization, and declares no significant impact on public or private sectors is expected, therefore a full impact assessment was not considered necessary.
The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2022 regulations to incorporate UN Security Council Resolution 2752 (2024).
This resolution expands the arms embargo on Haiti to include a broader spectrum of military goods and related items.
The amendments update definitions, clarify prohibitions on the transfer of military technology and the provision of associated financial services or technical assistance, and introduce new offenses relating to these broader sanctions.
The regulations also modify existing penalties to match the updated prohibitions.
The National Security Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
These regulations, the second set under the National Security Act 2023, bring into effect Part 4 of that Act, specifically the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.
This scheme starts on July 1st, 2025, and applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The regulations cite the power conferred by section 100(1) of the 2023 Act and provide for detailed commencement information.
An impact assessment is available online and in hard copy.
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
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 National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Publication) Regulations 2025
These regulations mandate the Secretary of State to publish information from the National Security Act 2023's foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme on a public website. Publication includes details of registered foreign activity and foreign influence arrangements, subject to exceptions for national security, crime prevention, individual safety, and commercially sensitive information.
The information remains published for up to ten years, depending on the arrangement's duration.
The regulations specify precisely which information must be made public for each registration type.
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2010 Private Security Industry Act exemptions concerning aviation security.
They clarify licensing requirements for individuals involved in airport security (screening, access control) and update references.
The changes exempt certain persons from licensing under the 2001 Act due to alternative arrangements being deemed sufficient for maintaining aviation security.
The regulations also revoke the 2012 amendment regulations.
The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Aviation Security (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective June 23, 2025, amend existing aviation security legislation.
Specifically, they remove Chapters 3 (aircraft security) and 7 (air carrier mail and air carrier materials) from Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998.
The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and were signed by Mike Kane, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.
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 Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025
The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025 clarifies the calculation of penalties for non-compliance with designated vendor directions under the Communications Act 2003.
It specifies the relevant business activities to be included in turnover calculations for penalty purposes and amends the Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Penalties) (Rules for Calculation of Turnover) Order 2003 to replace references to "notified provider" with "person." This ensures consistency with the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and provides a clearer framework for penalty enforcement.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2025
This order implements the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 across the UK. It mandates information sharing and review processes by UK law enforcement bodies regarding Level 2 disclosures, mirroring existing duties of Scottish law enforcement.
It also amends relevant acts to ensure consistency and defines key terms like "UK law-enforcement body." The order addresses payment for services rendered under its provisions and outlines guidance issuance by the Scottish Ministers.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) (Provision of Information) Order 2025
This Order amends the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 to allow the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to share barred list information with several non-territorial police forces within the UK and those in the Crown Dependencies.
The amendment adds these forces to the list of recipients in section 50A(3) of the Act, improving information sharing to better safeguard vulnerable groups and enhance national security.
The Order received parliamentary approval and extends to England and Wales, coming into force the day after its enactment.
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025
The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 7th, 2025, updates the rates of pensions and allowances payable under the 1983 Scheme to civilians injured or killed during World War II. The amendment replaces the tables in Schedules 3 and 4 outlining these rates, adjusting them to current values.
The order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the UK's implementation of the EU's Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.
Specifically, they modify the permitted uses of Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, allowing their continued use in certain applications, such as aerospace, defense, and medical devices, until specific dates in 2030 and 2044.
The amendments also clarify permitted use for replacement parts and repairs within those applications.
The regulations ensure consistency with previous UK legislation (S.I. 2025/296).
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 designates numerous central government bodies as 'designated bodies' for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.
This designation is for their inclusion in the supply estimates and resource accounts of their respective government departments.
The order covers various government departments and agencies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
It is based on powers granted by the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and includes consultations with devolved administrations.
The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025
The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 2025 establishes 500-meter safety zones around five offshore installations in UK waters.
Two installations were already in place when the Order was made and two more will be in place from March or April 2025.
The order is based on the Petroleum Act 1987 and proposals from the Health and Safety Executive, aiming to enhance maritime safety by preventing vessels from entering or remaining in these zones without consent or in accordance with regulations.
The Space Industry (Licence Exemption for Military Activities of Allies) Regulations 2025
The Space Industry (Licence Exemption for Military Activities of Allies) Regulations 2025 exempt authorized personnel from allied armed forces, international military organizations, and related entities from needing operator or range control licenses for sub-orbital spaceflight activities conducted for national security purposes.
These exemptions apply when activities originate from Crown land, land controlled by His Majesty's forces, or specific ships or platforms in UK territorial waters.
The regulations were created under the Space Industry Act 2018, following public consultation and parliamentary approval, and also amend the Space Industry Regulations 2021.
The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2025
The Proscribed Organisations (Name Change) Order 2025, made under the Terrorism Act 2000, officially recognizes ‘Majeed Brigade’ as an alternative name for the proscribed organization ‘Baluchistan Liberation Army.’ This action aims to improve counter-terrorism efforts by closing legal loopholes and facilitating effective prosecution and monitoring of the group’s activities, regardless of the name used.
The order extends to the entire United Kingdom and took effect the day after parliamentary review.
The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025
The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025 designates numerous public and local government bodies to provide financial information to the Treasury for the 2024-2025 financial year.
This data is used to compile the Whole of Government Accounts, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in public spending.
The Order came into force on March 18, 2025, and applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Treasury consulted with Welsh Ministers where deemed appropriate.
The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025
The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025 implements crucial updates to UK procurement law, including revised threshold amounts for contract values, amendments to international trade obligations, and comprehensive changes to primary and secondary legislation.
The regulations modernize procurement processes, strengthen security measures, and establish transitional provisions while ensuring alignment with international agreements.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Burghfield) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2025
These regulations revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Burghfield) (Emergency) Regulations 2024, which imposed temporary restrictions on unmanned aircraft flights near Burghfield.
The Secretary of State determined that the emergency justifying these restrictions has ended, and the revocation is in the public interest.
The regulations came into force immediately upon signing on February 11th, 2025.
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Transfer of Staff to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority) Regulations 2025
These regulations govern the transfer of specified Ministry of Defence Police employees to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority on April 1, 2025.
The regulations ensure employment protection, mirroring provisions in the 2006 Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), covering contracts, rights, and liabilities.
They also address the transition of Ministry of Defence Police members into the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and incorporate modifications regarding pension schemes.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Stonehenge) Regulations 2025
These regulations temporarily restrict flying within a three-nautical-mile radius of Stonehenge from 16:00 UTC on June 20th to 10:00 UTC on June 21st, 2025.
The restriction, made under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, is in response to the anticipated large gathering for the Summer Solstice and aims to ensure public safety.
Exemptions exist for certain emergency services and aircraft operating with specific permissions.