News & Articles
Government Update: 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:
British businesses celebrated as The King’s Awards for Enterprise mark their 60th anniversary
Recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise announced, celebrating the achievements of outstanding businesses from across the UK
First published.
Britain embraces solar revolution following war in Iran
Households across the UK are embracing solar power as the government accelerates its clean power mission.
First published.
How to think about foreign policy in the new geoeconomic era
The Foreign Secretary has written in The Economist about the need to enhance our economic resilience
First published.
Crime and Policing Bill 2025: factsheets
These factsheets provide more information about the Crime and Policing Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025.
Updated to reflect enactment of the bill.
Non-domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard – landlord guidance
Guidance for landlords of privately rented non-domestic property on complying with the 2018 ‘Minimum Level of Energy Efficiency’ standard (EPC band E).
There is a new service. The link and information about it has been updated.
Consultation on the UK Treasury bill market
HM Treasury and the UK Debt Management Office are consulting on expanding and deepening the UK Treasury bill (T-bill) market, as announced at Autumn Budget 2025. This supports our commitment to maintaining a well-diversified investor base, to enhance the resilience of the government’s financing programme.
Outcome of response added.
UK-EU SPS Agreement – Information for Businesses
Businesses urged to take simple steps for smoother trade with the EU
Page updated following the closing of the Call for Evidence.
Designated standards
Designated standards: recreational craft
Notices of publication and a consolidated list for designated standards for recreational craft.
Notice of publication amended and consolidated list updated.
Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements
Procurement Act 2023 guidance documents – Define phase
These documents are intended to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation and understanding of the Procurement Act 2023.
Update to para 32 and added guidance links to the document: Guidance: Dynamic Markets
Tree production grants reopen for applications
Up to £6.5 million is available across 2 grants to boost resilience and productivity in domestic tree production.
First published.
UK tests defence supply chains under war conditions in major exercise
Major wargame exercise brings together leading defence companies to test supply chain resilience under wartime pressure.
First published.
EU/ International Regulations:
EM on Council Decision 2025/799 on the EU Cyber Resilience Act
The government’s summary of a Council Decision 2025/799 on the adoption of a decision adding Council Decision 2020/135 to Annex 2 to the Windsor Framework.
First published.
HSE updates
Biocides: ECHA guidance has been adopted in GB to assess risk to bees from biocides
CLP: HSE public consultation Inpyrfluxam
Biocides: EU active substance expiry dates postponed and renewal submission deadlines
IP
Protecting Intellectual Property Rights on e-commerce stores
Understand how Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Temu and Tiktok help rights holders protect their intellectual property.
Vinted guidance added.
Goods Movement
Minutes from the third meeting of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council on 2 February 2026.
First published.
The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.
First published.
Trade, investment, and export support
Businesses see processing times slashed in groundbreaking trial
Businesses see processing times slashed in groundbreaking new trial
First published.
Conclusion of Costa Rica’s CPTPP Accession Working Group
This announcement details the conclusion of the negotiations regarding Costa Rica’s CPTPP Accession Working Group.
First published.
Defending UK trade with greater pace and purpose
TRA sets out three-year plan to defend UK businesses from unfair trade.
First published.
Sanctions
Find out which people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, and why.
Added 18 designations under the Russia sanctions regime and 17 designations under the Global Irregular Migration sanctions regime
CMA updates
CMA publishes latest monitoring report on road fuel market
Report assesses impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel prices and margins until the end of March 2026.
First published.
Skills, employment, and training
Funding for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy
How the government funds apprenticeships and apprenticeship units in England for employers who do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy.
First published.
Latest information and actions from the Department for Education about funding, assurance and resource management, for academies, local authorities and further education providers.
First published.
DfE education and skills agreements and accountability agreements: 2026 to 2027
Information about DfE education and skills agreements and accountability agreements for 2026 to 2027
First published.
Information for organisations applying for grant funding to deliver the Jobs Guarantee.
The ‘Jobs Guarantee: Delivery Partner Guidance’ has been added.