Finance Legislation
Laws governing financial services, banking regulation, insurance, investment, and securities trading.
The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2025
This Order, made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury, amends the Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998 to revise how housing benefit subsidy is calculated and paid to local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Key changes include updating the Housing Benefit Assurance Process deadline, allowing local authorities flexibility in limiting deductions for historic overpayments, substituting the schedules detailing administration subsidy sums for the 2024-2025 relevant year, adjusting incentive payments for verification schemes, and setting specific deduction figures for Welsh authorities for the 2025/2026 relevant year.
These Regulations specify the dates when various sections and schedules of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 officially come into force, initiating the repeal of specific pieces of retained EU financial services legislation, including parts of the EU Prospectus Regulation 2017 and MiFIR provisions.
The commencement dates are staggered between October 2025 and January 2028, and the document includes important saving provisions to ensure continuity for existing regulatory processes, notably for operators of Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange Systems (PISCES) and offers made under pre-existing prospectuses.
The Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, amend the existing Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 to align UK law with updated United Nations Security Council obligations, particularly those derived from Resolution 2231 (2015).
The amendments update interpretations of relevant UN resolutions, modify the scope of prohibited trade in nuclear and missile-related items, and introduce specific exceptions to asset freeze and financial prohibitions to facilitate the satisfaction of obligations owed by the Treasury concerning Treasury debt, ensuring these actions remain compliant with the new sanctions framework.
The Register of People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the Companies Act 2006 to improve the accuracy and timeliness of information about individuals and entities with significant control over companies.
The amendments add new notification duties for companies regarding compliance with requests for information, restrictions notices, and changes in the status of people with significant control.
They also clarify existing notification requirements, mandating more detail in the information provided to the registrar.
These changes aim to enhance transparency and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
These regulations implement consequential amendments to existing legislation following the passage of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
The primary changes involve updating company law around director identification verification, the information publicly available, and modifying requirements for authorized corporate service providers.
The regulations also restrict public access to certain director identity verification statements to enhance data protection and security, affecting both primary company law and secondary legislation related to money laundering, partnerships, and insolvency.
The Online Safety Act 2023 (Qualifying Worldwide Revenue) Regulations 2025
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 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
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.