The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool) Designation Order 2025 designated Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool as a free zone, appointed a responsible authority, and established conditions for its operation.

This order designates Customs Site No. 7 in Liverpool as a free zone for a 10-year period, appointing John K Philips Group Limited as the responsible authority.

The order details specific conditions the responsible authority must meet, including maintaining detailed records, providing access for HMRC officers, ensuring safe working conditions, and taking measures to prevent unauthorized activities within the free zone.

The authority is subject to comprehensive reporting and inspection provisions.

Failure to meet any condition may result in revocation of the designation.

The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 brought section 5 of the Act into force regarding third-party bulk personal datasets on April 25th, 2025.

These regulations, made under the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024, bring section 5 of that Act into force on April 25th, 2025.

This section concerns the handling of third-party bulk personal datasets.

The regulations apply across the UK and have been approved by the Minister of State for the Home Office. An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of predicted significant impact on the public or private sectors.

The Order amended existing fees in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 and the Magistrates’ Courts Fees Order 2008.

The Civil Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Fees (Amendment) Order 2025, effective the day after its enactment, amends fee schedules in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 and the Magistrates’ Courts Fees Order 2008 for England and Wales.

Specifically, it updates fees related to ship/goods sales in the High Court's Admiralty jurisdiction and liability orders/warrants of entry in Magistrates' Courts, with each fee's value restated.

This action was undertaken with the consent of the Treasury and following parliamentary approval, in accordance with the Courts Act 2003 and the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The 2025 order revised Tyne Tunnel tolls, increasing costs for some vehicle classes, and revoked the 2024 toll revision order.

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 regulations established tax exemptions and relief for payments made under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals, effective from April 28, 2025.

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 order clarified penalty calculations for non-compliance with designated vendor directions and amended the 2003 Order to reflect changes from the 2021 Act.

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 regulations amended the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 to exclude Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals compensation payments from National Insurance contribution calculations.

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 increased fees for Emergency Travel Documents and Emergency Passports.

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.