These regulations amend the 2001 Social Security (Contributions) Regulations to exclude compensation payments made under the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme from National Insurance Contribution calculations.

This applies to individuals whose Horizon System-related convictions have been quashed, those cautioned, or those who received alternatives to prosecution in Scotland, even if the alternative to prosecution was purported rather than formal.

The amendment ensures that such compensation payments do not impact the individuals' National Insurance liability.

These regulations amend the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme to expand its eligibility criteria for compensation, encompassing convictions quashed by courts or legislation, cautions, and alternative-to-prosecution outcomes related to the Horizon system.

The amendments also provide income tax exemptions for payments made under the Grenfell Support (Restorative Justice) programme to victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Both changes have retrospective application.

This order amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, increasing the money laundering threshold from £1,000 to £3,000 for transactions under section 339A(2) and (6A).

This affects banks and firms handling accounts, and businesses in the regulated sector returning property to customers.

The increase aims to reduce administrative burdens on businesses while preserving the focus on significant money laundering activities.

The amendment followed parliamentary review and approval.

The Thames Estuary Cockle Fishery (No. 2) (Variation) Order 2025 modifies the 2024 Order, altering article 5(12) regarding licence eligibility.

Specifically, it makes individuals who were shareholders or officers of certain companies ineligible for licenses or renewals until December 2031.

The order, enacted under the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967, aims to improve the regulation of cockle fishing in the Thames Estuary.

This Order, made under the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007, extends the timeframe for non-jury trials in Northern Ireland until July 31, 2027.

The Order cites the Act's provision for the Secretary of State to extend the effective period of non-jury trials and notes that a draft was previously approved by Parliament.

The extension continues a practice established by several previous orders, each extending the period by two years.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2017 regulations, expanding the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) ability to request information and intervene in matters concerning commodity derivatives to encompass 'applicable OTC commodity derivatives'.

The amendments extend the FCA's powers to include options, futures, and contracts for difference relating to commodities traded on UK trading venues, but which are not classified as financial instruments.

These changes came into effect immediately after relevant paragraphs in Schedule 2 of the 2023 Financial Services and Markets Act were enacted, applying to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Bank Recovery and Resolution (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2014 Order to allow the Bank of England to set transitional periods and minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) for financial institutions.

This provides flexibility for banks to meet MREL requirements over time while maintaining effective supervision, drawing upon the Bank of England's Statement of Policy, and considering the potential availability of recapitalisation payments.

The regulations also clarify the inclusion of transitional MREL in the definition of minimum own funds and eligible liabilities, and remove a power for the Bank relating to technical standards.

The Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Act 2025 (Commencement) Regulations 2025, enacted by the Treasury, bring sections 1 to 7 of the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Act 2025 into effect on July 16th, 2025.

These sections cover recapitalisation payments, reporting requirements, notification to parliamentary committees, reimbursement procedures, a code of practice, and amendments to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Banking Act 2009.

The regulations aim to provide a timely and effective framework for addressing the financial stability of banks.