Finance Legislation
Laws governing financial services, banking regulation, insurance, investment, and securities trading.
The Online Safety Act 2023 (Qualifying Worldwide Revenue) Regulations 2025
- Department: Office of Communications
- Made under: Online Safety Act 2023
The Online Safety Act 2023 (Qualifying Worldwide Revenue) Regulations 2025 were enacted, defining the calculation of qualifying worldwide revenue for online service providers to determine fees payable to Ofcom and maximum penalty amounts.
These regulations, effective October 8, 2025, define how to calculate qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR) for online service providers under the UK's Online Safety Act 2023.
The QWR determines fees paid to Ofcom and the maximum penalties for violations.
Part 2 details QWR calculation for fee-setting, focusing on revenue directly related to regulated services.
Part 3 defines QWR for calculating maximum penalties for groups of entities, considering all revenue (regardless of service relation).
The regulations aim for financial transparency and consistent enforcement.
The Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
The 2025 regulations extended transitional provisions for third-country central counterparties under Regulation (EU) 575/2013 and the CCP Regulations.
The Central Counterparties (Transitional Provision) (Extension and Amendment) Regulations 2025 extend transitional periods in the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) and the Central Counterparties (Amendment, etc., and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.
These extensions, lasting 12 months, apply to third-country central counterparties and aim to prevent disruption to international and UK financial markets.
The extensions are deemed necessary and proportionate given exceptional circumstances.
The Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Made under: Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014
The regulations amended the definition of 'smaller authority' in the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, raising the financial threshold to £15 million for financial years commencing on or after April 1st, 2025.
These regulations amend the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, redefining 'smaller authority' based on gross income and expenditure.
For financial years starting after April 1st, 2024, the threshold increases from £6.5 million to £15 million.
The changes aim to provide greater financial flexibility for local authorities while maintaining appropriate levels of financial scrutiny.
The regulations apply to England and Wales and were approved by both Houses of Parliament.
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
Amendments were made to UK primary and secondary legislation, and EU-assimilated legislation, to reflect changes following the revocation and replacement of the 2014 Capital Buffers Regulations.
These regulations amend various pieces of UK primary and secondary legislation as well as assimilated European Union law to reflect the replacement of the Capital Requirements (Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures) Regulations 2014 with the Capital Buffers and Macro-prudential Measures Regulations 2025.
The changes update references to the older regulations across various acts and orders to ensure consistency and legal clarity within the financial regulatory framework; the amendments come into effect on November 30, 2025.
An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary.
The Criminal Legal Aid (Standard Crime Contract) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
The Criminal Legal Aid (Standard Crime Contract) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amended the Criminal Legal Aid (General), (Remuneration), and (Financial Resources) Regulations 2013 to reflect the 2025 Standard Crime Contract.
These regulations, effective October 1st, 2025, amend three sets of UK criminal legal aid regulations—General, Remuneration, and Financial Resources—to reflect the replacement of the 2022 Standard Crime Contract with the 2025 version.
The amendments update references to the contract throughout the existing regulations and also update references to the Standard Crime Contract Guidance for Reporting Crime Lower Work to its latest version.
A transitional provision ensures that pre-existing determinations are unaffected, and the regulations only apply to services provided under the new contract.
The Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2025
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018
The regulations amended several UK Customs regulations by updating version numbers in key documents related to import duties and authorized use procedures.
The Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2025, effective October 29, 2025, update several UK Customs regulations.
These amendments revise version numbers in documents pertaining to import duty rates, authorized use procedures, and the Tariff of the United Kingdom.
The changes aim to improve accuracy, streamline processes, and maintain alignment with international agreements.
The regulations were developed with consideration of recommendations from the Secretary of State and relevant international arrangements.
The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Transport
- Made under: Finance Act 2000
The 2025 regulations increased payments in lieu of maritime training and revoked the 2023 regulations.
The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2025, effective October 1st, 2025, amend the 2000 Regulations by raising payments in lieu of maritime training from £1,421 to £1,705 and the higher rate payment for training failures from £1,329 to £1,613.
These changes apply to relevant four-month periods after September 30th, 2025, and revoke the similar 2023 regulations.
The amendments increase funding for the Maritime Training Trust.
The Legal Officers (Annual Fees) (No. 2) Order 2025
The order established new annual fees for diocesan and provincial registrars in the Church of England for 2026, clarified the services covered by the fees, and specified payment procedures.
The Legal Officers (Annual Fees) (No. 2) Order 2025, effective January 1, 2026, sets annual fees for diocesan and provincial registrars in the Church of England.
It details fees for various services, indicating who is responsible for payments (diocesan boards of finance or bishops/archbishops).
The order also defines the scope of these fees and outlines additional remuneration possibilities.
Finally, it revokes the preceding 2025 order.