Economy Legislation
Regulations governing economic policy, monetary matters, taxation, public spending, and market regulation.
The Community Radio Order 2025
The Community Radio Order 2025, effective April 1, 2025, consolidates and amends existing legislation governing community radio in the UK. It defines community radio services, focusing on their non-commercial, community-beneficial nature and the obligations on licensees, such as promoting social gain and accountability to the served community.
The order modifies relevant sections of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003, revokes previous related orders, and includes transitional provisions for existing licences.
The focus is on fostering participation from community members, and ensuring that services are provided primarily for social gain.
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025 revises the existing scheme for allocating policy development grants to UK political parties.
Effective March 6th, 2025, the order allocates £2 million annually, distributing funds among eligible parties based on a formula considering their representation in different UK regions’ electorates.
The Order replaces previous legislation relating to the same scheme and reflects the Electoral Commission’s recommendations, providing a foundation for transparent and equitable funding for policy development.
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025, effective March 31, 2025, establish exemptions to existing regulations regarding waste separation in England and Wales.
These exemptions permit the combined collection of certain recyclable waste streams (metal, glass, plastic) by English waste collection authorities.
Additionally, the regulations exempt micro-firms from certain waste collection requirements until March 31, 2027.
The regulations were drafted in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
These regulations amend Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 concerning airport slot allocation in the UK. Key changes include increasing the threshold for defining a 'new entrant' airline from five to seven slots and introducing a new provision for handling slot allocation adjustments during pandemics or similar public health emergencies.
The changes aim to improve fairness and resilience in the system while simplifying the regulatory framework.
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025
This Order implements significant changes to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), primarily splitting the 2026-2030 allocation period into two separate periods: a one-year 2026 allocation period and a four-year 2027-2030 allocation period.
It establishes new processes for free allocation of emissions allowances, modifies eligibility criteria for ultra-small emitters, enhances registry transparency requirements, and expands information sharing powers for climate change policy development.
The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations modify the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.
They mandate that employers claiming zero-rate secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions for employees working in designated freeports or investment zones must include the employee's workplace postcode (or an HMRC-provided alternative code) in their Full Payment Submission.
This aims to improve data collection and ensure compliance with existing legislation regarding tax relief in these specific zones.
The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2020 regulations to implement aspects of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Key changes include altering requirements for navigational equipment on various ship types to align with international standards.
Specific exemptions were granted to certain classes of ships, and the fee schedule was updated accordingly.
The regulations improve safety at sea by harmonizing UK legislation with international requirements.
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025 rectifies errors and omissions in the 2024 Development Consent Order.
Following requests from the applicant and an interested party, and in accordance with the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State made corrections detailed in a schedule.
The corrections encompass various articles and schedules of the original Order amending definitions, referencing, and documentation specifications.