The Secretary of State approved the CMA's consumer enforcement rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, establishing procedures for investigations and enforcement actions.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (CMA Consumer Enforcement Rules) Regulations 2025, effective April 6th, 2025, approve the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) rules for enforcing consumer protection laws.

These rules cover procedural matters, including investigations, representations, document inspection, procedural complaints, settlements, and notification of decisions.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the CMA developed these rules following consultations.

The 2025 regulations amended National Insurance contribution rates, thresholds, and National Insurance Fund payments, and extended veteran's relief.

These regulations, effective April 6, 2025, adjust National Insurance contribution rates and thresholds for Class 2 and Class 3 contributions.

They also adjust the prescribed percentage of estimated benefit expenditure for payments into the National Insurance Fund for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and extend zero-rate contributions for armed forces veterans to the 2025-26 tax year.

The changes are based on a Treasury review of earnings and estimated benefit expenditure.

The regulations amended the Taxes (Interest Rate) Regulations 1989 to increase the official interest rate for employment-related loan tax calculations.

The Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective April 6, 2025, raise the official interest rate used to calculate tax on employment-related loans from 2.25% to 3.75% per annum.

This amendment modifies the Taxes (Interest Rate) Regulations 1989, impacting the tax liability for individuals receiving employment-related loans with interest rates below the new official rate.

The change aims to update the tax calculation to reflect current economic conditions and ensure fairer taxation on these types of loans.

The order revalued earnings factors for various tax years to maintain their purchasing power relative to general earnings, impacting calculations for social security benefits and pensions.

The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order 2025, effective April 6, 2025, increases earnings factors for specified tax years (1978-1979 to 2024-2025).

These adjustments apply to calculations of additional pensions in long-term benefits, guaranteed minimum pensions, and other calculations under the Pension Schemes Act 1993.

The order ensures that these factors maintain their value relative to the general level of earnings, fulfilling a legal requirement outlined in the Social Security Administration Act 1992, and aims to protect the value of pension payouts.

The Order amended the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) Order 2001 to broaden the exemption for National Wealth Fund Limited from the general prohibition on carrying out regulated activities without authorization.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective March 31, 2025, amends the 2001 Exemption Order.

It expands the exemption from the general prohibition on unregulated financial activities to include National Wealth Fund Limited.

This is achieved by inserting a new Article 3A granting a general exemption and creating a Part 1A to the Schedule, listing exempted entities, while removing the fund from the previous list.

The Order approved rule amendments increasing HCPC fees and enabling virtual meeting/hearing capabilities.

This Order approves amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) rules.

The amendments increase various registration and scrutiny fees, reflecting updated operational costs, and allow the HCPC to conduct meetings and hearings using audio or video conferencing technology improving efficiency and access.

The fee increases affect registration, renewal, readmission, and restoration fees, as well as scrutiny fees for UK and international applicants.

The changes to procedures affect multiple sets of HCPC procedural rules, specifically those concerning the Investigating, Conduct and Competence, Health, and Registration Appeals Committees.

The HCPC consulted with relevant bodies and stakeholders before implementing these changes.

The Order established new wildlife licence charges in England, revoking the 2018 Order and setting new fees based on licence type, application complexity, and Natural England's processing time, with several exemptions.

The Wildlife Licence Charges (England) Order 2025, effective March 28, 2025, establishes new fees for wildlife licenses issued by Natural England under various Acts and Regulations.

It details fixed and variable charges based on application complexity and time spent processing the application, outlining exceptions for public safety, serious damage prevention, certain conservation purposes and development projects.

The Order also revokes the 2018 equivalent, maintaining the previous order's standards for applications submitted before the effective date.

The Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates) (Hydrocarbon Oils etc.) Order 2022 was continued until March 22, 2026.

This order extends the Excise Duties (Surcharges or Rebates) (Hydrocarbon Oils etc.) Order 2022 until March 22, 2026.

The 2022 Order adjusts excise duty liabilities and rebates for hydrocarbon oils.

This extension ensures continued regulatory stability and predictable tax revenue while maintaining existing legal frameworks.

It builds upon previous continuation orders issued in 2023 and 2024.