Reduced the Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge to 20% for first-time home purchases exceeding the price cap and established refund procedures for failed completions.

These Regulations amend the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998 to lower the financial penalty for Lifetime ISA (LISA) holders who use their savings to buy a first home that exceeds the statutory price cap.

The instrument reduces the withdrawal charge from 25% to 20% for these specific cases and mandates that account managers refund the charge if a purchase fails and the funds are returned to the account.

These rules apply to LISA account managers and investors in relation to all withdrawals made on or after 29 October 2026.

Shortened the required vacancy period for empty home management orders and removed specific administrative requirements for council applications.

This Order reduces the time a dwelling must be unoccupied before a local housing authority can apply for an interim Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) from two years to six months.

It removes certain administrative requirements that local authorities were previously required to meet when submitting applications to a residential property tribunal.

These changes apply to local housing authorities in England for any new applications submitted on or after 5 November 2026.

Activated specific sections of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and issued a correction regarding the Act's territorial application.

These regulations bring into force specific provisions of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, affecting educational institutions, local housing authorities, and social care providers.

They establish the legal timeline for when new statutory duties and powers defined in the primary legislation become active and enforceable.

The document also includes a formal correction to the Explanatory Note regarding the geographical scope of the Act's provisions.

Expanded permitted development rights for electric vehicle chargers and electricity substations while extending temporary permissions for schools with RAAC-affected buildings.

This Order expands permitted development rights in England to allow the installation of electric vehicle charging points within the curtilage of dwellinghouses and blocks of flats, provided specific safety and height requirements are met.

It mandates the use of authorised cross-pavement cable channels where a footway exists between the outlet and the vehicle.

The Order also extends the period for temporary school buildings at sites affected by RAAC until October 2028, increases the size limits for electricity substations, and updates references to the National Planning Policy Framework and the Building Safety Regulator.

Set the legal conditions and administrative procedures for approving and operating private landlord redress schemes in England under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

These Regulations establish the criteria and procedures for the Secretary of State to approve or designate redress schemes for private landlords in England.

The instrument mandates that schemes must provide independent investigation of tenant complaints, authorize compensation awards of up to £25,000, and maintain impartial oversight through a designated responsible individual.

The regulations apply to scheme administrators, private residential landlords who must join a scheme, and tenants seeking redress for landlord non-compliance with codes of practice.

Adjusted the Building Safety Levy framework to exclude student housing from dwelling definitions and refined the criteria for previously developed land.

These Regulations amend the Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 to clarify how the levy applies to different types of residential developments and land.

The instrument directs that purpose-built student accommodation be excluded from the definition of 'dwellings' for levy purposes and provides specific criteria for determining if land is 'previously developed', notably excluding underground structures and unlawful operations.

It applies to developers, local authorities, and the building safety regulator in England, establishing updated procedures for levy information spot checks, update notices, and the cancellation of liability notices when no charge is due.

Reduced the VAT rate on domestic electricity in Great Britain from 5% to 0% for the period between October 2026 and March 2027.

This Order introduces a temporary zero rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) for qualifying supplies of domestic electricity in England, Wales, and Scotland for a six-month period.

It modifies the Value Added Tax Act 1994 to reclassify electricity supplied for domestic use or non-business charity use from the 5% reduced rate to a 0% rate between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The instrument applies to electricity suppliers and residential consumers in Great Britain, while specifically maintaining the 5% reduced rate for electricity supplies in Northern Ireland.

Revised the eligibility and calculation rules for Housing Benefit earned income disregards for residents in specified and temporary accommodation.

These Regulations amend the Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 to ensure that specific earnings disregards apply correctly to claimants residing in specified or temporary accommodation.

They direct that lone parents be included in the disregard framework, remove minimum-hours requirements for eligibility, and establish specific disregard amounts ranging from £61.41 to £119.70 based on the claimant's age and household status.

The instrument applies to the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities responsible for administering Housing Benefit in England, Wales, and Scotland.