News & Articles
Government Updates June
Announcements and Calls for Evidence:
Foreign Secretary statement on the Middle East: 9 June 2026
Foreign Secretary statement on the Middle East and announcement of new sanctions delivered to Parliament on 9 June 2026
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves speech at the AI Adoption Summit
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered a speech at the AI Adoption Summit.
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More than £200 million in Government support to help companies in Britain adopt AI – paving the way for the UK to become fastest AI adopting country in the G7
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Contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
How to get in touch with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
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New powers to crack down on hostile foreign state organisations
New powers introduced to crack down on organisations carrying out hostile activity on behalf of foreign states, including proxy groups who do their bidding.
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Five companies shut down this year following Insolvency Service investigations
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New rules to require councils to prove they are doing more to fix potholes and future-proof roads.
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PM meets mayors in drive to get Britain building and take on blockers
Mayors from across England will meet with the Prime Minister today (4 June) as the government accelerates its drive to kickstart growth and deliver for working people.
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Cost of public EV charging review: terms of reference
Sets out the terms of reference for the review into the cost of public charging for electric vehicles.
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Make Work Pay: employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children
We are seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.
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Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts
We are seeking views on reforms relating to zero hours and similar contracts, to implement measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to end one-sided flexibility.
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Call for evidence: Strategy for the built environment professions, trades and occupations
A call for evidence to inform future policy on those working in the building professions, trades and occupations.
Links to register for 2 webinars about this consultation added.
Strengthening CO2 supply chain resilience: call for evidence
This call for evidence seeks views and data to inform development of measures to improve the resilience, security, and sustainability of the UK’s supply of food and medical grade CO2 for usage across important sectors.
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Designated standards
Notices of publication and a consolidated list for designated standards for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Notice of publication amended and consolidated list updated
Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements
Procurement Act 2023 guidance documents – Procure phase
These documents are intended to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation and understanding of the Procurement Act 2023
Update to para 74 due to the change to Below threshold supplier ID policy from 1 April 2026: Guidance: Publication of Information and the Central Digital Platform
HSE updates
Biocides: GB active substance renewal submission deadline and expiry date
Pesticides: GB MRL amendments and expiry of Trichoderma approval
UK REACH: Publication of final opinions on applications for authorisation
IP
IPO launches Knowledge Asset Management Hub
New resource to strengthen IP capability and support commercialisation across the UK research sector.
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UK-China Intellectual Property newsletter
At the end of every month we publish a newsletter covering recent intellectual property (IP) developments in China.
Updated UK-China Intellectual Property newsletter May2026
Protecting your trade mark abroad
To protect your trade mark, design, and/or invention outside of the UK, you usually need to apply in each country you want protection in. Guidance re-written.
Goods Movement
Customs declaration completion requirements for Great Britain
Use this guide as a supplement when using the CDS Declaration Instructions to import and export goods to and from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) after the end of the transition period.
Declaration Completion Instruction sections for ‘Requested Procedure 78: Release to a Free Zone/Freeport’ and Additional Procedure Code ‘19Z: Removal of goods from a Free Zone/Freeport’ have been removed and included in the CDS Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports; Inventory Imports; and Inventory Exports.
Communications resources to help you move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Information and resources to help businesses use the Windsor Framework changes for parcels and freight.
Published 2 guidance documents: ‘Great Britain to Northern Ireland business-to-business (B2B) parcel arrangements to ensure correct duty charges – For the attention of GB businesses’ and ‘Great Britain to Northern Ireland business-to-business (B2B) parcel arrangements to ensure correct duty charges – For the attention of NI businesses’.
Check if you can apply for a repayment or remission of EU import duty paid, or reclaim state aid used (also known as ‘replenishment of state aid’) on goods brought into Northern Ireland, through the Duty Reimbursement Scheme.
The ‘Making a bulk claim’ section has been updated, all MRNs included in a claim must have acceptance dates in the same calendar month as each other.
Check if there are restrictions on importing a CITES specimen into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
Added lists of Great Britain negative opinions (for plants and animals) and a link to the UK import suspensions list. Outlined that you must check for import restrictions in all lists before applying to import CITES specimens. Clarified that these import restrictions apply in Great Britain.
Find a professional to certify export health certificates
A list of organisations in England, Scotland and Wales that inspect and certify animals and animal products for export. The list does not include every certifier.
Updated the list of professionals who can certify export health certificates in England, Scotland and Wales.
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 UK has suspended the import of bees, apiculture products and used beekeeping equipment into Great Britain from Honduras. This is due to an outbreak of small hive beetle (SHB).
The Customs (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
This tax information and impact note is about some changes to the requirements for port operators and to customs rules which apply to goods that are imported and exported in certain circumstances.
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Preference Tier Graduation: Vanuatu
This notice sets out the preference tier graduation of Vanuatu in the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
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Apply for an Advance Tariff Ruling
Find out how to get a legally binding decision on the commodity code to use when importing into or exporting from Great Britain.
We have added new guidance on how to contact the Tariff Classification Service.
Trade, investment, and export support
UK-India Free Trade Agreement Update and events
The UK-India FTA was signed in July 2025 and is currently going through ratification procedures. UK businesses will receive an official announcement around entry into force, from which point they can benefit from tariff reductions.
- The full treaty text, including the tariff schedule, rules of origin and customs provisions has been published and is on gov.uk here, as well as an information page on business.gov.uk here. The only guides available currently are on Rules of Origin, but more will be published on day 1 of entry into force on different policy areas and sectors.
- Businesses must register with HMRC on their UK-India FTA portal in order to benefit from tariff reductions when the FTA comes into force (this is only a requirement for exports from the UK, not for imports from India). Without registering, origin declarations will be rejected, and businesses will not be able to access preferential tariffs under the agreement. More information can be found online here.
- Roadshow: The UK–India Roadshow 2026 will visit cities across the UK to help businesses prepare and take advantage of the upcoming UK-India FTA. The programme is designed to provide clarity, confidence and connections through practical sessions on market access, sector opportunities, exporting sessions, expert 1:1 advice and networking. Events take place 17–25 June 2026 in Leeds, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester. Link here.
Great British Pitch India, Tuesday 16th June, London: A dedicated pitching day where approximately 50 UK small businesses will have the opportunity to pitch directly to buyers in India. Alongside the pitching slots, there will be expert talks, workshops, mentoring and a fantastic reception event. More information can be found online here.
Ministers from the UK and New Zealand make joint statement on the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement.
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UK Trade Envoy returns to Cambodia to boost trade and investment
Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy, visits Cambodia to boost trade and investment ties, building on past engagement and reaffirming support for sustainable growth.
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UK–Ghana Growth Partnership to Drive Jobs, Investment and Skills
UK–Ghana Growth Partnership (2026–2028) aims to boost jobs, trade, infrastructure and skills through major investments and private sector–led growth initiatives
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Trade remedies notice published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the registration of imports of hot-rolled steel plates originating from South Korea.
‘Trade remedies notice 2026/17: rejection of the TRA’s recommendation to apply a provisional anti-dumping measure on hot-rolled steel plate originating from South Korea’ added to page.
Overseas business risk for Palestine
Overseas business risk for Israel
Guidance fully reviewed and updated including advice against conducting economic and financial activity in illegal Israeli settlements
Find out about cover policy and indicators for countries and territories that are covered by UK Export Finance.
Removed line on Lebanon cover: “We are unable to offer short term cover unless payments can be secured by a confirmed irrevocable letter of credit or equivalent security, provided by a suitable bank
Find out about our General Export Facility: its benefits, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Barclays and Barclays International contact details updated
e-Commerce/Digital
The DBT Digital Commerce team are partnering with the DBT business academy to host webinars:
Sanctions
UK and allies sanction networks enabling settler violence in the West Bank
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announces coordinated sanctions with international partners targeting individuals and entities involved in financing and enabling settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
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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 8 new designations under the Global Human Rights sanctions regime and made 5 variations under the Russia sanctions regime.
HMRC updates
HMRC doubles funding for customers who need extra support
£11 million in grant funding available to help customers who need extra support
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Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method
Check recent contacts from HMRC to help you decide if a suspicious email, phone call, text or letter could be a scam.
Information about ‘Research and Development (R&D) claim tax relief’ has been added.
Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method
Check recent contacts from HMRC to help you decide if a suspicious email, phone call, text or letter could be a scam.
Information about ‘Employment agency’s labour supply chains research’ has been added.
Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027
Use these rates and thresholds when you operate your payroll or provide expenses and benefits to your employees.
The mileage allowance payments for employees who use their own car for business journeys have increased from 45 pence to 55 pence per mile for the first 10,000 miles. This rate also applies for National Insurance purposes.
DSIT/ Innovation updates
AI Adoption Insights agreement
The AI Adoption Insights agreement was agreed as a part of the AI Adoption Summit, held on 8 June 2026.
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AI Champions' AI Adoption Plans: interim government response
Interim response to recommendations set out in the AI Champions’ AI Adoption Sector Plans and the steps the government will take to implement them.
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AI Economics Institute Prospectus
The prospectus sets out how the AI Economics Institute will deliver its research through two core functions: building and analysing the evidence base to understand AI’s economic effects, and developing models and scenarios to inform resilient, future facing policy making.
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Prime Minister’s speech at London Tech Week 2026
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s speech at London Tech Week 2026.
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Liz Kendall's speech to London Tech Week
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall’s speech to London Tech Week on Tuesday 9 June.
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Lord Vallance speech to London Tech Week
Science Minister Lord Vallance’s speech to London Tech Week, Tuesday 9 June.
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Skills, employment, and training
Thousands moved closer to work with support from landmark employment scheme
Thousands of disabled people and those with health conditions and more complex barriers have moved closer to work following support from this Government’s landmark Supported Employment scheme.
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A new partnership between government, industry and trade unions to better support young people entering the job market.
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Adult skills fund: funding rules
Sets out the rules that apply to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funded adult skills fund (ASF) provision for the funding year.
Added ‘Adult skills fund: funding and performance management rules 2026 to 2027’.
Adult skills fund: funding rates and formula
Details of the funding system for the DfE or DWP funded adult skills fund (ASF).
Added ‘Adult skills fund: funding rates and formula 2026 to 2027’
Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027
The rules employers and training providers must follow to get funding for training and assessing apprentices in England.
Information added about the publishing of a new version of the funding rules.
Entry-level hiring in the UK: a snapshot
An analysis of UK entry-level hiring trends, exploring how labour market conditions, skills mismatches and AI are shaping opportunities for new workers.
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Work experience: employer guide
How Jobcentre Plus can help employers provide a positive experience of work for jobseekers and develop local talent and skills.
Updated the length of the placement which can now be between 1 and 8 weeks
Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)
Extended producer responsibility for packaging: who is affected and what to do
How UK organisations that supply or import packaging should comply with extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
Removed reference to the older Producer Responsibility Regulations which have now been revised
How to pay the Climate Change Levy, and how long it takes for your payment to reach HMRC.
Information about the maximum amount you can pay by Direct Debit has been updated.
This guidance explains how to report organisation details in order to register for extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. This is a legal obligation for organisations that are affected by EPR for packaging.
Updated the Environment Agency email address from packaging@environment-agency.gov.uk to packagingproducers@environment-agency.gov.uk
Report receipt of waste: choose a software provider
You can use software to automatically upload your waste records into the report receipt of waste service.
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