Economy Legislation

Regulations governing economic policy, monetary matters, taxation, public spending, and market regulation.

The Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse Authorities) (Increase of Borrowing Limit) Order 2026

Published: Thu 12th Mar 26

This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State for Transport with Treasury approval under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, increases the maximum aggregate amount General Lighthouse Authorities can borrow from £133 million to £166 million, effective from 12:01 a.m. on 31st March 2026, and extends this provision across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 12th Mar 26

These Regulations make necessary technical adjustments to various pieces of UK legislation, including Acts of Parliament and secondary instruments, to ensure they align correctly following the introduction of provisions concerning Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and the simultaneous revocation of the 2015 ADR Regulations.

The amendments primarily involve substituting obsolete references to the 2015 Regulations with references to the new framework in the 2024 Act, or removing references entirely where the underlying requirement is no longer applicable, ensuring a consistent legal landscape for consumer dispute resolution.

The Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) (Amendment) Order 2026

Published: Wed 11th Mar 26

This Statutory Instrument amends the Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) Order 2004 to formally designate Consumer Scotland as an authorized body capable of making 'super-complaints' to the Competition and Markets Authority.

The power allows Consumer Scotland to raise concerns about features of any market in the United Kingdom that appear to significantly harm consumer interests, extending its remit under the 2002 Act across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, effective from April 6th, 2026.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Conferral of Functions) Regulations 2026

These Statutory Instruments, made under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, formally confer specific regulatory functions related to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for consumer contract disputes onto the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), effective April 6, 2026.

The Regulations detail the procedures the CTSI must follow when approving fee provisions, handling accreditation applications, suspending or revoking accreditations, enforcing compliance, and disclosing relevant information to consumers, alongside establishing mandatory quarterly and annual reporting requirements to the Secretary of State and the public.

The Utilities Act 2000 (Amendment of Section 105) Order 2026

Published: Mon 23rd Feb 26

This Statutory Instrument, the Utilities Act 2000 (Amendment of Section 105) Order 2026, amends Section 105 of the Utilities Act 2000, which generally restricts the disclosure of certain information.

The Order inserts new provisions creating specific exemptions from this restriction to facilitate the performance of functions under sections 13 and 19 of the Energy Prices Act 2022, and to allow compliance with directions issued under section 22 of that same Act, thereby enabling smoother execution of specific energy policy measures.

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Prescription of Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 23rd Feb 26

These Regulations, made by the Treasury and effective from 1st April 2026, prescribe the specific non-domestic rating multipliers used to calculate business rates in England for occupied, unoccupied, and centrally rated hereditaments, establishing thresholds based on rateable value (£51,000 and £500,000) to determine whether a small business RHL, standard RHL, high-value, or standard multiplier applies, particularly for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, while also amending the 2024 Regulations to limit their future applicability.

The Public Interest Merger Reference (Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited) (Pre-emptive Action) Order 2026

This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the Enterprise Act 2002, prevents the parties involved in the proposed acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited by Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) from taking 'pre-emptive action' while a public interest intervention notice remains in force; the Order mandates that the Telegraph Media Group Holdings business must be carried on separately, maintaining its operational status, editorial independence, key staff, and market position until the review period concludes.

The Network Rail (Kettering to Wigston South Junction and Napsbury Lane) (Land Acquisition) Order 2026

This Statutory Instrument, The Network Rail (Kettering to Wigston South Junction and Napsbury Lane) (Land Acquisition) Order 2026, grants Network Rail Infrastructure Limited the powers to compulsorily acquire land, or new rights over land, necessary for the electrification and improvement works on the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction, as well as access rights at Napsbury Lane; the Order details modifications to existing legislation concerning compulsory purchase, temporary possession for construction and maintenance, compensation assessment procedures, and the extinguishment of certain private rights of way, setting a five-year limit for exercising these acquisition powers.