News & Articles
Government Update: April's Key Announcements for UK Businesses
We’re sharing the latest government announcements, consultations and regulatory updates relevant to our sector. We encourage members to review the updates and engage with any consultations relevant to their business.
Announcements and Calls for Evidence:
Major updates to product safety laws to ensure they’re fit for the modern ageConsumers to benefit from better protections from unsafe products as a result of major new reforms.
First published.
Product regulation: the UK’s new product safety framework
We are seeking views from businesses, consumer groups and all other interested stakeholders on a new, modernised and enhanced core product safety framework.
First published.
Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture
We are seeking final views on the comprehensive reform of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
First published.
Product regulation: market surveillance and enforcement framework
We are seeking views on proposed reforms to UK product regulation market surveillance and enforcement.
First published.
Income Tax charge on Winter Fuel Payments
Screening Equality Impact Assessment for Income Tax charge on Winter Fuel Payments
First published.
Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime
We are seeking views on our legislative proposals for subscription contracts between traders and consumers. This consultation will inform secondary legislation.
Outcome of the consultation added, including attachments of the government response to the consultation, consultation and analysis methodology and a summary of the question responses.
Domestic energy prices: data sources and methodology
Document showing the data sources and methodologies used to produce domestic energy price statistics.
Published the latest domestic energy prices: data sources and methodology.
Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements
Product safety and metrology regulatory changes: UKCA and CE regimes
Read more about changes to the overarching regulatory regime for product safety and metrology, following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
‘Product Regulation and Metrology Bill’ section updated to become ‘Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025’ with revised text
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute) Regulations 2026
Statutory instruments for Alternative Dispute Resolution regulations from the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
First published.
Goods Movement
Find out how to claim a customs duty waiver if you are bringing goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain or countries outside the UK and EU which might otherwise be charged ‘at risk’ tariffs.
Information in the ‘How you can claim’ section has been amended, because the Customs Duty Waiver online service been updated to display de minimis state aid usage over a rolling 3 year period.
Trade, investment, and export support
UK Trade envoy visits Dhaka to strengthen two-way trade and economic ties
The UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster, DBE is visiting Dhaka this week to reinforce and expand the longstanding and mutually beneficial UK–Bangladesh trade and economic partnership.
First published.
Uganda welcomes major trade delegations to strengthen partnership
Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja welcomed UK business delegations in Kampala to spark new partnerships and fuel Uganda’s growth.
First published.
TRA makes final decisions in steel quota reviews
The TRA has published its decisions in three tariff rate quota (TRQ) reviews on the UK’s steel safeguard measure.
First published
HMRC updates
Creative and Audio-Visual Reliefs
Administrative changes are being made to all the creative industries tax reliefs. Additional changes are being made to correct anomalies and prevent abuse,
First published.
HMRC says UK businesses should apply now for Vaping Products Duty
From today, UK vaping product manufacturers, importers and warehouse keepers can apply for Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme approval.
First published.
Work out pay from an umbrella company
Work out gross and net pay if you’re a worker or employment business using an umbrella company.
The tool has been updated with the new rates for the 2026 to 2027 tax year.
Rates and allowances for Income Tax
Find the rates and allowances for Income Tax including the previous 3 tax years.
Rates, allowances and duties have been updated for the tax year 2026 to 2027.
Rates and allowances: National Insurance contributions
Rates, allowances and limits for National Insurance.
Rates and allowances for National Insurance have been updated for the tax year 2026 to 2027.
Check what your tax code means
Use this tool to find out what the numbers and letters in your tax code mean and how much tax you will pay.
The tool has been updated with the new rates for the 2026 to 2027 tax year.
Agricultural Relief for Inheritance Tax
Work out whether assets in an estate qualify for Agricultural Relief and the rate at which it is due.
Information about property that qualifies for Agricultural Relief has been updated. Information about calculating Agricultural Relief if you have a mortgaged property has been added. Information has been updated to confirm the combined amount of Agricultural Relief and Business Relief allowed against a person’s estate. Information about 100% relief allowance on the combined value of qualifying agricultural or business property has been added, including transferring unused allowance, applying and apportioning the allowance, and information about trusts. More information about Business Relief, when both Agricultural Relief and Business Relief apply to the same property has been added.
Use a venture capital scheme to raise money for your company
Find out how venture capital schemes work, who can apply and what tax reliefs are available for your investors.
Information for limits on the money you raise, Enterprise Investment Scheme, Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts have been updated.
Skills, employment, and training
New changes due to the Employment Rights Act 2025
New changes due to the Employment Rights Act 2025
First published.
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay Northern Ireland
Enhancement of Parental Leave and Pay – Miscarriage and day-one right to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay.
First published.
Find out when you have to pay Apprenticeship Levy and how to work out and report your payments.
The ‘Your annual pay bill’ section has been updated to include a link to the secondary threshold and lower earnings limit for year 2026 to 2027.
Thousands to be supported into work as government reforms welfare system
Hundreds of thousands of sick or disabled people will be offered voluntary help towards employment as part of a package of measures coming into force today (6 April) that will encourage work and save taxpayers around £1 billion.
First published.
Keep Britain Working Review updates
Updates on the independent review of the role of employers in tackling health based economic inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces.
First published.