News & Articles
Government Update: Latest Policy & Industry Updates
We’re sharing the latest government announcements, consultations and regulatory updates relevant to our sector. Covering areas such as trade, sustainability, planning and late payments, 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:
UK steel industry backed by major new trade measure and strategy
UK steel producers and thousands of steel workers to benefit from a new landmark Steel Strategy and robust trade measure. Please read if you/members use steel as manufacturing inputs
First published.
Communities and local leaders will benefit from new powers introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
First published.
Local Growth Fund (Scotland) Prospectus
This prospectus sets out how the UK Government will work with Regional Partnerships in Scotland to deliver the Local Growth Fund.
First published
Local Growth Fund (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Local Growth Fund (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) supporting documents.
First published.
Report and impact assessment on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
A report and impact assessment on the use of copyright works in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
First published.
How we can use our land more effectively to increase the resilience of our homes, communities, infrastructure, and food systems, while speeding up development and restoring nature.
First published.
High streets revived and children given safe places to play
New initiative will support local areas to reimagine and revive their struggling high streets
First published.
Domestic energy tariff reductions 2026: ministerial direction
This direction requires energy suppliers to apply discounts to domestic tariffs from 1 April 2026, related to the RO to Exchequer scheme and closure of the ECO and GBIS schemes.
First published.
Policy Statement on the operation of Part 3 of the UK Internal Market act 2020
UK Internal Market act 2020: policy statement on the operation of Part 3 of the act (recognition of professional qualifications)
First published.
Streamlining infrastructure planning: implementation plan
Information on how the government will deliver the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
First published.
Consulting the Secretary of State on planning decisions
We are seeking views on proposals that require Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to consult the Secretary of State on some planning decisions.
First published.
Fees for planning applications
This consultation seeks views on proposals to establish a new national default fee schedule for planning applications and on the principles of local fee setting.
First published.
Industrial emissions: proposed UK Best Available Techniques
Seeking views on proposed UK Best Available Techniques for reducing emissions across specific industrial sectors, including textiles.
First published.
Amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation 2026
Seeking views on proposed changes to the POPs Regulation, including drafted legislation to prohibit 5 new POPs.
First published.
CMA draft Annual Plan 2026 to 2027
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on its draft Annual Plan for 2026 to 2027.
Summary of responses published.
Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years
Small businesses to be backed by new, stronger measures to tackle late payments.
First published.
Late payments: tackling poor payment practices
We are seeking views on legislative measures which address late, long and disputed business-to-business payments, and the use of retention clauses in construction contracts.
Documents added: the government response to the consultation, which summarises consultation feedback and outlines next steps, a list of consultation respondents, and an updated impact assessment.
Minister Blair McDougall – Letter to businesses on upcoming late payment reforms – 24 March 2026
Letter from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation to businesses, giving notification of changes to Government policy on late payments.
First published.
Late payment: common framework
Non-legislative framework to ensure the UK government and devolved governments work together on late payment (commercial transactions) policy.
First published.
Northern Growth Strategy: Case for change
This document sets out a vision for a stronger, more dynamic northern economy and how government will work in partnership with local leaders to achieve this.
Northern Growth Strategy: Next Steps and Invitation for Views on Northern Growth – Privacy Notice documents added along with updated details on submitting responses through the survey.
Raising product standards for household tumble dryers
We’re seeking views on proposals for updated ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for household tumble dryers.
Government response published.
Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements
MHRA e-cigarette and vape products regulator profile
Information on the other regulatory bodies responsible for e-cigarette and vape products.
Updated information for Health and Safety executive and DEFRA.
The Electronic Commerce (Amendment and Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026
This instrument repeals the remaining Country of Origin Principle provisions in DSIT eCommerce regulations using the Retained EU Law Act 2023 (REUL Act).
The SI has successfully gone through sifting.
UK bus manufacturing expert panel: mayoral commitments on zero emission buses
Zero emission bus commitments for UK mayors and mayoral combined authorities.
First published.
EU/ International Regulations:
EM on EU Regulation 2026/405 on Detergents and Surfactants
The government’s summary of EU Regulation 2026/405 of 11 February 2026 on Detergents and Surfactants, and Repealing Regulation (Ec) No 648/2004.
First published.
EM on a Regulation proposal on Production Rules (COM(2025)780)
The government’s summary of a proposed Regulation amending Regulation 2018/848 on certain production, labelling and certification rules and rules on trade.
First published.
EM on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt (C(2026)360)
The government’s summary of a Commission Directive amending Appendix A of Annex II to EU Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt.
First published
EM on food and feed safety requirements (COM(2025)1030)
The government’s summary of a proposal for a regulation amending relations on the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
First published.
EM on requirements and testing for motor vehicles (COM(2025)993)
The government’s summary of a proposal for a regulation on the simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles.
First published.
HSE updates
Pesticides: Adoption of new Codex MRLs (CXLs) in GB
Goods Movement
Reference Document for The Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
The Reference Document for The Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 sets out the necessary steps businesses who import goods into Northern Ireland will need to take.
‘Duty incurred in Northern Ireland – repayment and remission on production of evidence (eligibility criteria and other conditions)’ has been added.
General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products
Licences and authorisations to import genetic material, research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items, and some live animals and animal products.
Updated links for EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2026/03) and EU display items (IMP/GEN/2026/04).
Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues
Current issues relating to imports and exports of animals and animal products.
The foot and mouth disease (FMD) section has been updated to publish safeguard declarations that apply for Greece.
Report a problem using the Customs Declaration Service
Find out what to do if you experience a problem whilst submitting a declaration using the Customs Declaration Service.
The online form for reporting a problem using the Customs Declaration Service is currently experiencing issues. Information on what to do has been added to the guidance
Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage.
Change made:
Bulgaria has new restrictions for vehicles over 12 tonnes on public holidays.
Trade, investment, and export support
Trade Minister Speech at Chatham House
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant gives a speech at the Chatham House Global Trade Conference.
First published.
Update following Round 4 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey
An update following the fourth round of UK-Turkey FTA negotiations.
First published.
Trade remedies notice: registration of imports of glass containers originating from Turkey
Trade remedies notice published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the registration of imports of glass containers originating from Turkey.
First published.
Trade remedies notice: registration of imports of glass containers originating from China
Trade remedies notice published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the registration of imports of glass containers originating from China.
First published.
Trade remedies notices: anti-dumping duty on imports of tin mill products originating from China
Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the anti-dumping duty on imports of tin mill originating from China.
First published.
Trade remedies notices: registration of imports of tin mill products originating from China
Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the registration of imports of tin mill products originating from China.
‘Trade remedies notice 2026/11: definitive anti-dumping duty on tin mill products originating from China’ removed from page and published separately as its own page. This new page is available on the Trade Remedies Notices collection page.
How to use exceptions and licences to comply with sanctions
How to check if certain transactions, goods and services are exempt from sanctions measures (exceptions), and how to use or apply for sanctions licences.
First published.
HMRC updates
Check the status of tax policy consultations
Find out about ongoing and closed tax policy consultations.
A new tax policy consultation has been added.
Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)
UK Packaging PRO appointed to deliver Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging scheme
New Producer Responsibility Organisation to work with PackUK to help shape the future of new packaging scheme
First published.
Packaging data: what to collect for extended producer responsibility
A guide to collecting data about your packaging. This is for UK organisations affected by extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
In the ‘Reporting packaging activity data’ section, clarified that packaging data can only be reported under one packaging activity, not multiple packaging activities. Organisations must split their packaging data so they report each packaging activity separately.
Packaging data: how to create your file for extended producer responsibility
How to structure your packaging data submission. It includes information about the different types of data you need to submit and the codes you need to use.
We’ve clarified the deadlines for large and small organisations to report packaging data.
Our next steps to tackle serious waste crime in England.
First published.