Finance Legislation
Laws governing financial services, banking regulation, insurance, investment, and securities trading.
The Subsidy Control (Subsidies and Schemes of Interest or Particular Interest) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective August 4th, 2025, amend the 2022 Subsidy Control Regulations.
The key change increases the threshold for subsidies deemed 'of particular interest' from £10 million to £25 million in non-sensitive sectors.
This amendment impacts how public authorities must refer subsidies before disbursement, as schemes enabling these higher-value subsidies are considered 'schemes of particular interest' under the 2022 Act.
The Inter-American Investment Corporation (Further Payments to Capital Stock) Order 2025
The Inter-American Investment Corporation (Further Payments to Capital Stock) Order 2025 approves a payment of up to 106,000,000 USD to the Inter-American Investment Corporation.
This payment is to support the corporation's increased authorized capital stock, following the adoption of a new business model and capitalization plan (Resolution CII/AG-5/24).
The order also covers associated payments and ensures that the value of the initial payment is maintained.
The Secretary of State is authorized to make the payment and the Treasury approved the order.
The Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Relevant Public Authorities and Designated Senior Officers) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, specifying which public authorities can access communications data and for what reasons.
The changes add several new authorities, like the Department for Business and Trade and the Security Industry Authority, while others, such as some ambulance services, lose this power.
The amendments also fine-tune access for existing authorities, such as the Department for Transport, by limiting access depending on the specific agency within the department.
These alterations are intended to improve the targeting of investigations while maintaining safeguards against misuse.
The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2022 regulations to incorporate UN Security Council Resolution 2752 (2024).
This resolution expands the arms embargo on Haiti to include a broader spectrum of military goods and related items.
The amendments update definitions, clarify prohibitions on the transfer of military technology and the provision of associated financial services or technical assistance, and introduce new offenses relating to these broader sanctions.
The regulations also modify existing penalties to match the updated prohibitions.
The Multinational Top-up Tax (Pillar Two Territories, Qualifying Domestic Top-up Taxes and Accredited Qualifying Domestic Top-up Taxes) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Multinational Top-up Tax (Pillar Two Territories, Qualifying Domestic Top-up Taxes and Accredited Qualifying Domestic Top-up Taxes) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2025 Regulations to enable retroactive application of tax specifications related to the OECD/G20 Pillar Two model rules.
This change allows tax specifications to take effect from a date prior to their publication, aiming to improve the effectiveness of the multinational top-up tax.
The amendments are explicitly authorized by the Finance (No. 2) Act 2023.
The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective July 22, 2025, amend the 2018 Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations.
Key changes introduce new fees for applications of British citizenship under section 4AA of the 1981 Act (for Irish citizens), with different amounts for adults (£723) and children (£607).
The amendments incorporate these new fees into relevant schedules, including those addressing exceptions and affordability waivers.
The Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) Regulations 2007 to require updated premises plans for converted casino licences in England and Wales.
The amendments mandate that plans for licence variations include details about table gaming areas, ensuring compliance with conditions set by the 2025 Order, which introduces new gambling entitlements for converted casinos.
The changes aim to provide clearer instructions for applications and improve regulatory oversight of casinos' operations.
The Gambling Act 2005 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2025
This Order amends the 2006 Order, which implements parts of the 2005 Gambling Act, specifically concerning regulations for converted casino premises licenses in England and Wales.
It allows for up to 80 gaming machines in such casinos under certain conditions (minimum gambling area, machine categories, and ratios to gaming tables), with connected premises also subject to overall machine limits.
The Secretary of State will periodically review the regulatory provisions and publish reports.