We’re sharing the latest government announcements, consultations and regulatory updates relevant to our sector. Covering areas such as trade, sustainability, and export support, these developments may impact businesses across the gift and home industry. We encourage members to review the updates and engage with any consultations relevant to their business.

Announcements and Calls for Evidence:

Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament

Ministers announce the introduction of legislation to tackle late payments and protect small businesses.

First published.

PM to showcase how economic plan and trade deals deliver for working people

The Prime Minister is hosting a reception in Downing Street today (Monday 18 May), bringing together employers, workers and apprentices to demonstrate how strengthening Britain’s ties abroad is delivering for working people at home.

First published.

Major shift in government evaluation as Magenta Book is updated

The Evaluation Task Force has released the 2026 update to the Magenta Book, the government’s central guidance on evaluation. As the most significant revision in government evaluation standards since 2020, it marks a major milestone for evidence-based policymaking.

First published.

Global Partnerships Conference 2026

This page explains the purpose of the Global Partnerships Conference and how to follow updates and outputs from the event.

First published.

Consumer Credit Act reformed to protect consumers and support modern finance

The government will modernise the Consumer Credit Act for the first time in over 50 years, giving consumers clearer information and firms the flexibility to innovate.

First published.

Crime and Policing Act 2026: factsheets

These factsheets provide more information about the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

Overarching factsheet added to page.

Commercial Payments Bill: factsheets

Further details on the measures included within the Commercial Payments Bill.
First published.

Plastic Packaging Tax – mechanically recycled plastic packaging

This consultation seeks views on the potential introduction of mandatory certification for mechanically recycled plastic for Plastic Packaging Tax purposes.

First published.

Inheritance tax on pensions – information sharing regulations

This technical consultation seeks comments on the draft secondary legislation on changes to the information sharing regulations in connection with Inheritance Tax on Pensions.

First published.

Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements

Procurement Compliance & Oversight

Procurement Compliance & Oversight (PCO) has responsibility for oversight of the Procurement Act 2023.

Current Crown Commercial Service suppliers: what you need to know

Guide for suppliers on a Crown Commercial Service (CCS) commercial agreement, who supply common goods and services to the public sector.

Update URN List

EU/ International Regulations:

EM on a report on implementation of the TCA (COM(2026)166)

The government’s summary of a Commission report on the implementation and application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

First published.

HSE updates

Biocides: Upcoming GB active substance renewal submission deadlines and expiry date

Goods Movement

Export groups of products using the Groupage Export Facilitation Scheme (GEFS)

Guidance on using the GEFS, which allows 30-day support attestations that cover an entire group of products for export. Amended the ‘more information’ section to add links to support attestation pages.
 
Get an export health certificate

How to get an export health certificate to export or move live animals and animal products from Great Britain to the EU, Northern Ireland or non-EU countries.
Information about the Movement Assistance Scheme has been removed. The scheme closed on 30 June 2025.

Trade, investment, and export support

Costa Rica to join CPTPP

Costa Rica to join UK as member of £13 trillion in GDP global trade bloc – the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

UK-EEA EFTA Separation Agreement Joint Committee annual report 2023

The second annual report covers Separation Agreement activity for the year 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

First published.

Sanctions

The UK Sanctions List

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.

Made 3 variations and 1 correction under the Russia sanctions regime.

HMRC updates

Apply for full claim advance assurance on your first Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claim

Ask HMRC for assurance on your first Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claim, if you are a small or medium-sized enterprise.

First published.

Apply for targeted advance assurance on up to 2 areas of your Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claim

Ask HMRC for assurance on particular areas of your Research and Development (R&D) tax relief claim, if you’re a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

First published.

OPSS updates

OPSS grants

Information on OPSS grants to partner organisations to support and expand the reach of consumer messages.

First published.

Product Recalls and Alerts

Information on OPSS product safety alerts, reports and recalls for unsafe products and resources for consumers, businesses and regulators.
List of featured recalls and alerts updated.

Skills, employment, and training

Employment Rights Act 2025: factsheets

Further details on the measures included within the Employment Rights Act The compensatory award cap for unfair dismissal has been updated to £123,543 from 6 April 2026, in line with the annual increase to statutory employment limits.

Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE): overview

Find out what the LLE is and how this new post-18 student-finance system will work from the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

Updated to reflect that a list of level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications approved through the LLE process is available. We have also published details of the providers approved for lifelong learning entitlement modular funding, along with information about the standardised transcripts providers must make available on completion of each module. There is also additional information about secondary legislation we’re introducing to implement the lifelong learning entitlement fee limit and funding system.

Fair Work Agency: enforcement policy statement

The regulatory tools and guiding structures utilised by the Fair Work Agency to enforce labour market legislation within its remit. The Fair Work Agency enforcement policy statement has been updated to more accurately reflect the work of the Employment Tribunal Financial Penalties Team.

Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)

Local net zero: support for local authorities and communities

Central government provides a range of support to help local authorities and communities to decarbonise.

Updated the Community Energy Fund and GBE Community Fund projects lists.

Summary log templates for UK packaging waste

Templates for the summary logs that reprocessors and exporters need to produce under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

Updated supplementary guidance to improve field descriptions for unrecycled packaging waste sent on, bill of lading reference number, date received by overseas reprocessor and Basel export codes.