Local Government Legislation

Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.

The Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2026

The Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Regulations 2026 enact transitional and administrative rules necessary to implement the increase in Guardian's Allowance mandated by the preceding Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2026, effective from April 6th, 2026.

These regulations specify that if questions arise regarding an individual's eligibility for the new, higher rate, the increased payment will be withheld until a formal determination is made, and they also confirm the continued applicability of rules concerning overseas beneficiaries.

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026

These Regulations officially bring into force section 49 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 on March 13, 2026, which amends the procedures for installing electric vehicle charge points on public highways by granting Electric Vehicle Charge Point Operators the legal right to use a permit-based system instead of the existing Section 50 licensing structure under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026

These Regulations, known as the Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026, are made by the Secretary of State under the authority of the Online Safety Act 2023 to bring specific provisions of that Act into force on April 7, 2026, primarily focusing on establishing the mandatory duty for providers of regulated user-to-user services to report Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) content to the National Crime Agency, alongside related offenses, supplementary reporting requirements, and powers for the regulator to obtain information.

The Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026

Published: Thu 12th Mar 26

This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, dissolves the existing two-tier local government structure in Surrey, abolishing Surrey County Council and the existing district councils effective April 1, 2027.

It establishes two new unitary areas: East Surrey and West Surrey, each with a new principal authority.

The Order mandates elections for these new councils in 2026, where they will operate as 'shadow authorities' to prepare for the transfer of functions, property, and liabilities during the 'shadow period' leading up to the full structural change.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Falkirk, Scotland) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026

These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State for Transport under powers granted by the Air Navigation Order 2016, immediately revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Falkirk, Scotland) (Emergency) Regulations 2026, because the Secretary of State determined that the emergency situation necessitating the previous flying restrictions in the specified Falkirk area no longer exists and is not considered necessary in the public interest.

The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2026

This Statutory Instrument, The Pensions Increase (Review) Order 2026, sets out the annual percentage increases to be applied to official public service pensions in the UK starting from April 6th, 2026, based on a direction given by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding inflation adjustments; it specifies a 3.8 per cent increase for most pensions that began before April 7th, 2025, provides a formula for pensions starting later, and details adjustments for lump sums and reductions where a recipient is also entitled to a Guaranteed Minimum Pension.

The Discretionary Financial Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026

These Regulations primarily amend provisions governing discretionary financial assistance and housing payments across England and Wales, coming into force on April 1, 2026.

The key actions involve revoking the Discretionary Financial Assistance Regulations 2001 and the Discretionary Housing Payments (Grants) Order 2001 in relation to England, while continuing their effect in Wales.

For Wales only, the Regulations amend the 2001 Order by removing the previous reference to English and Welsh authorities in claims procedure and, crucially, omitting the article that previously limited the total expenditure local authorities could spend on discretionary housing payments.

The Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 11th Mar 26

These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State under powers from the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, amend the 2013 Regulations to institute new daily rates for the recovery of costs from designated authorities when a child is remanded to various forms of youth detention accommodation in England and Wales, with the changes taking legal effect on April 1, 2026.