News & Articles
Government Updates: Trade, Employment, and Sustainability
The latest updates from across government include a call for feedback on US tariffs, new developments in employment rights, investment in carbon capture and skills training, and updates on trade regulations and sustainability reporting. Members are encouraged to explore the announcements most relevant to their business and share any concerns or insights with the GA where applicable.
US Tariffs
Please continue to share your concerns about/ impacts of US tariffs on your business/industry with us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at retailandconsumergoods@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Announcements and Calls for Evidence:
Employment Rights Bill to increase bereavement leave for families who face pregnancy loss
Government announces a new amendment to the Employment Rights Bill which will expand rights to bereavement leave to those who experience pregnancy loss
First published.
Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments
Impact assessments and analytical documents relating to the Employment Rights Bill.
Impact assessment: Amending new right to unpaid bereavement leave to include pregnancy loss added.
Boost for Sri Lankan garment sector after new UK trade measures
Sri Lankan garment sector set to benefit following reforms to simplify imports from developing countries like Sri Lanka.
First published.
New panel of young people to shape the Government’s Youth Guarantee
Young people with experience of being out of education, employment and training will help shape policy as part of a new Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel.
First published.
Regulating Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in the retail energy market
We’re seeking views on options for regulating third-party intermediaries (TPIs) in the energy retail market to protect consumers and businesses.
Published a summary of responses to this consultation.
Chancellor’s National Wealth Fund investment in major carbon capture project to boost 3,500 jobs
Thousands of jobs could be created across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the North West thanks to a £28.6 million National Wealth Fund investment in a major carbon capture project, the Chancellor has announced today, Monday 7 July.
First published.
£100 million cash boost to help thousands into work across the country
Thousands of disabled people and people with complex health conditions to receive help finding secure, well-paid jobs
First published.
Technology and innovation driving UK growth and closer partnerships with the Indo-Pacific
Britain will deepen relations with countries across the Indo-Pacific to bring together UK and Southeast Asian innovation and technology.
First published
Industrial Strategy Partnership: Joint Statement between the UK and France
Joint statement between the UK and French governments on an Industrial Strategy Partnership, made on 10 July 2025.
First published.
UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.
First published.
Regulations, Compliance, Procurement, and reporting requirements
Regulations: ecodesign of energy-consuming products
Guidance for manufacturers, their authorised representatives and importers.
List of legislation attachment updated.
Goods Movement
Export or move plants and plant products from Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Check if you need a licence or phytosanitary certificate to export or move plants and plant products.
Removed reference to the Movement Assistance Scheme in the ‘Fees’ section, as the scheme is closed.
Trade, investment, and export support
Trade remedies notices: tariff-rate quotas on steel goods
Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade relating to the tariff-rate quotas on steel goods.
‘Trade remedies notice 2025/02: safeguarding measure on category 2 steel products’ HTML attachment added.
The Home Office has launched the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).
First published.
CPTPP: Period of public engagement for the accession for Costa Rica
This public engagement period will inform the UK’s engagement in the process of the potential accession of Costa Rica to CPTPP.
The UK government’s response to the public engagement period for the CPTPP Accession Working Group for Costa Rica added
Sanctions
Who is subject to financial sanctions in the UK?
A guide to the current consolidated list of asset freeze targets, and a list of persons named in relation to financial and investment restrictions under the Russia regulations
HM Treasury Notice, Haiti, 10/07/2025 added.
Skills, employment, and training
Adult skills fund: funding rules
Sets out the rules that apply to Department for education (DfE) funded adult skills fund (ASF) provision for the funding year.
We’ve updated our ASF funding and performance management rules for 2025 to 2026. You can see a full list of the changes in our ‘what’s new’ section.
Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)
Environment Agency regulatory position on producer responsibility obligations relating to fibre-based composite (FBC) and paper and board packaging materials for 2025.
First published.
EPR for packaging: how local authority payments are calculated
Find out the methodology and procedure used to calculate payments to local authorities for 2025 to 2026.
Guidance and annexes have been updated to show the methodology and data used to calculate local authority payments for 2025 to 2026.
Extended producer responsibility for packaging: recycling obligations and waste disposal fees
UK organisations that are affected by extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging may need to get evidence of packaging waste recycling and pay disposal fees.
Update so that references to the calculations show that the launch of this functionality has been slightly delayed.
Thematic Review on Sustainability Reporting
This review assesses the effectiveness of sustainability reporting in annual reports, considering wider developments, and setting out recommended improvements
First published.