The Alcoholic Products (Repayment Interest Rate) (Alcohol Duty) Regulations 2025, effective September 1st, 2025, establish a repayment interest rate for alcohol duty based on the Bank of England rate.

The rate is calculated as the higher of 0.5% per annum or the Bank of England rate minus 1%, with an initial rate determined by the Bank of England rate on or before August 21st, 2025.

Any rate changes apply retroactively to interest accrued before the effective date.

These regulations aim to ensure fairness and transparency in alcohol duty repayments.

This Order, made under the Finance Act 2009, sets September 1st, 2025, as the commencement date for applying late payment interest to alcohol duty owed to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The interest regime is defined in section 101 of the Finance Act 2009 and applies to sums due under any enactment but paid late.

The applicable interest rate is detailed in the Taxes and Duties, etc (Interest Rate) Regulations 2011.

These regulations amend the 2014 Electricity Capacity Regulations to create a managed termination process for capacity agreements.

This allows capacity providers to switch to Contracts for Difference (CFDs) involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) without penalty, facilitating investment in CCS technology while safeguarding electricity supply.

The amendments also revoke redundant provisions in related legislation.

These regulations amend the Enterprise Act 2002 to create exceptions within the merger control regime for newspaper enterprises involving foreign powers.

They introduce specific circumstances under which a foreign power's holding of shares or voting rights in a newspaper owner does not constitute control or influence, primarily focusing on situations involving state-owned investors with limited holdings and associated persons with minimal ownership stakes.

The changes aim to streamline the merger review process while addressing concerns around foreign influence.

The OTC Derivatives Risk Mitigation and Central Counterparties (Equivalence) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025, effective January 1, 2026, establish equivalence between the UK and Swiss regulatory frameworks for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and central counterparties (CCPs).

These regulations determine that under specified conditions, Switzerland's legal, supervisory, and enforcement systems are equivalent to the UK's under EMIR, specifically concerning risk mitigation techniques for uncleared OTC derivatives and the oversight of Swiss-authorized CCPs.

These equivalencies are subject to conditions detailed within the regulations, ensuring compliance with UK standards for initial and variation margin requirements, among other stipulations.

These regulations, effective January 21, 2026, amend UK law to restrict the use of 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone/Oxybenzone (Oxybenzone) in cosmetic products due to potential health concerns.

The regulations specify different maximum concentrations depending on the product type and incorporate a transition period until July 21, 2026, for products already on the market.

The changes are based on scientific advice and aim to ensure public health and safety while providing a transition period for businesses.

The Postal Services (Universal Postal Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025 amends the 2012 Postal Services (Universal Postal Service) Order.

Key changes include updated definitions to reflect the UK's departure from the EU, revised routing times for standard and priority letters, and adjustments to delivery and collection schedules, aiming for greater clarity and efficiency in the postal system.

The Order also revokes a previous, incomplete amendment Order.

OFCOM conducted a user needs review before implementing these changes.

This Order amends the 2012 Postal Services (Universal Postal Service) Order to update definitions, reflecting the UK's departure from the European Union.

It also modifies delivery and collection service requirements, specifying separate standards for priority and standard letters, while outlining revised routing time calculations.

These changes aim to improve service standards and are made after a user needs review and a public consultation process.