The Office for Students authorizes South Devon College to grant taught awards, including foundation degrees, starting March 17, 2025.

This indefinite authorization also empowers the college to delegate this authority to other institutions.

The decision is based on the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and follows advice on the quality of the college's higher education provision.

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Norland College Limited) Order of Council 2019 (Amendment) Order 2025, effective March 13, 2025, amends the 2019 Order to grant Norland College Limited (company number 00193170) indefinite authority to award degrees.

The Office for Students made the amendment after consulting relevant bodies on the quality of Norland College's higher education and complying with notification procedures.

The amendment removes a previous time restriction on Norland College's degree-awarding powers.

These regulations, effective April 7, 2025, amend the Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance (Administration) Regulations 2003, the Guardian's Allowance (General) Regulations 2003, and the Child Benefit (General) Regulations 2006.

Key changes include removing outdated provisions related to refugee status and marital status in eligibility for benefits, updating approved training programs, and adjusting National Insurance number requirements for younger parents claiming child benefit.

The amendments aim to streamline administration, improve clarity, and modernize the benefit system.

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.

These regulations, enacted on February 25th, 2025, bring into force sections 4 and 5 of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.

Section 4 permits the use of languages other than English in legal proceedings, repealing the 1737 Act requiring English-only proceedings.

Section 5 mandates the Northern Ireland Department of Education to promote Ulster Scots in education.

The regulations apply only to Northern Ireland.

A full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to an expected lack of significant impact on the public, private, or voluntary sectors.

The regulations implement comprehensive changes across UK legislation to accommodate the new neonatal care leave and pay entitlements established by the Neonatal Care Act 2023.

The amendments span multiple areas including social security, employment benefits, pension schemes, and various public sector regulations, ensuring proper integration of neonatal care leave rights with existing statutory frameworks.

The Power to Award Degrees etc. (BIMM University Limited) Order 2025 authorizes BIMM University Limited to grant taught awards, including sub-authorizing other institutions, for a fixed term from March 13, 2025, to March 12, 2027.

The Office for Students made this order after considering advice on the quality and standards of the university's higher education provision.

The order notes that no impact assessment was required because it doesn't affect businesses, civil society, or the public sector.

The regulations modify multiple aspects of student financial support in England, updating payment rates and loan amounts for the 2025/26 academic year.

Key changes include introducing lower fees for foundation years, extending support to bereaved partners of Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veterans, enhancing disabled student allowances, and revising overseas territory definitions.

The amendments affect various existing regulations including student support, postgraduate loans, and fee limit conditions.