Economy Legislation

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

The Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Spectrum Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective July 7, 2025, amend the 2011 regulations to include a new license class, 'Spectrum Access High Density,' and two new frequency bands (25100–27500 MHz and 40500–43500 MHz).

These changes aim to increase mobile spectrum availability, potentially boosting network capacity, promoting technological advancements, and fostering economic growth.

OFCOM followed due process before enacting these amendments, and a regulatory impact assessment is publicly available.

The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2025

The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2025, issued by OFCOM, limits the number of wireless telegraphy licenses granted for use in the 25.1 to 27.5 gigahertz and 40.5 to 43.5 gigahertz frequency bands.

OFCOM will use a defined procedure outlined in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Award) Regulations 2025 to determine the number of licenses and their recipients.

The order came into force on July 7, 2025, and does not apply to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025

The Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025 amends the Planning Act 2008 to redefine nationally significant infrastructure projects.

It removes the exclusion of onshore wind from this designation and sets a capacity threshold of over 100 megawatts for onshore wind and solar projects to fall under this act.

Transitional provisions address applications and decisions made before the order's effective date (December 31, 2025), ensuring ongoing projects aren't disrupted.

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 (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 Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (Exemption from Stamp Duties) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 12th Jun 25

These regulations, effective July 3rd, 2025, exempt stamp duties on PISCES share transfers occurring within a designated sandbox environment established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023.

The regulations define key terms like "PISCES," "PISCES sandbox arrangements," and "PISCES share" by referencing the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox) Regulations 2025.

An accompanying explanatory note clarifies the exemption's purpose and directs readers to a Tax Information and Impact Note for further details.

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 Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend several existing UK statutory instruments to reflect the abolition of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the subsequent transfer of its functions to the Secretary of State.

Specifically, the regulations replace references to the Institute with the Secretary of State in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 and amend the Apprenticeships (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2017, removing the Institute’s power to charge fees for evaluating apprenticeship assessments.

Additionally, they remove the Institute from listings of public bodies in the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017 and the Trade Union (Deduction of Union Subscriptions from Wages in the Public Sector) Regulations 2024.

The regulations came into force on July 2nd, 2025.