The River Tyne (Tunnels) (Revision of Toll) Order 2025, effective May 1st, 2025, revises tolls for the Tyne Tunnel.

The North East Combined Authority now sets the tolls, as specified in the Schedule.

The order revokes the previous 2024 toll revision order.

The new tolls increase the cost for cars, vans, and buses, with motorcycle tolls remaining at £0.

The Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals (Tax Exemptions and Relief) Regulations 2025, effective April 28, 2025, grant tax exemptions and relief to recipients of compensation payments from the Department for Business and Trade’s independent appeals process.

The regulations exempt these payments from income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and corporation tax.

Additionally, it exempts from income and capital gains tax relevant onward payments made by companies relating to these appeal payments.

All exemptions are rooted in the Finance Act 2020.

The Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Designated Vendor Directions) (Penalties) Order 2025 clarifies the calculation of penalties for non-compliance with designated vendor directions under the Communications Act 2003.

It specifies the relevant business activities to be included in turnover calculations for penalty purposes and amends the Electronic Communications (Networks and Services) (Penalties) (Rules for Calculation of Turnover) Order 2003 to replace references to "notified provider" with "person." This ensures consistency with the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and provides a clearer framework for penalty enforcement.

The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations 2025, effective April 28, 2025, amend the 2001 Social Security (Contributions) Regulations.

These amendments exclude payments made under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals from earnings calculations used to determine Class 1 National Insurance contributions.

The regulations were created under the authority of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, with concurrence from the Department for Communities.

The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 9th, 2025, amends the Consular Fees Order 2012.

It increases the fees for Emergency Travel Documents and Emergency Passports from £100 and £75 respectively to £125.

The Order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and no significant impact on the public, private or voluntary sectors is anticipated.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025 amend the 2010 Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations and the 2013 Town and Country Planning Order.

These amendments clarify the application of the Community Infrastructure Levy to certain planning determinations made by the Secretary of State or appointed persons, and enhance the information gathered on CIL liabilities within planning applications.

The changes primarily aim to improve clarity, consistency and the efficiency of the planning process concerning the levy in England.

The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2003 Regulations, extending the timeframe for rules on fair value gains and losses of pooled investment funds (Regulation 30K) until March 2029 for investments made before April 2024.

They also extend the application of regulations concerning the accounting treatment of infrastructure assets (Regulation 30M), postponing necessary adjustments until April 2028.

These changes affect how English and Welsh local authorities account for certain assets and investments in their financial statements.

This order implements the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 across the UK. It mandates information sharing and review processes by UK law enforcement bodies regarding Level 2 disclosures, mirroring existing duties of Scottish law enforcement.

It also amends relevant acts to ensure consistency and defines key terms like "UK law-enforcement body." The order addresses payment for services rendered under its provisions and outlines guidance issuance by the Scottish Ministers.