News & Articles
GOVERNMNET UPDATES
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Request reminder: if you/ members would like to speak to us about the impact of the US tariffs, please do not hesitate to contact us. Appreciating it is still early days, and where relevant, we would be grateful if you could share any impacts with us going forward. We will update you as best we can.
A reminder that information on Executive Orders from the White House can be found at this link.: Executive Orders – The White House, and more information from our Government is below:
Announcements and Calls for Evidence:
Government launches call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work
A new call for evidence [launched today] will enable business, trade unions and civil society to shape action helping everyone, no matter their background, to thrive under the government’s Plan for Change. First published.
DBT-CMA joint statement on consumer protection
Statement from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on how new powers in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act will deliver effective consumer protection. First published.
CMA to boost consumer and business confidence as new consumer protection regime comes into force
CMA now able to act more swiftly and directly to protect UK consumers and foster a level playing field for businesses to invest and grow. First published. See CMA updates below
Business leaders supported to bolster online defences to safeguard growth
Directors and company boards are being urged to shore up their cyber defences using new guidance published today, in a bid to protect their organisations from the growing tide of online threats. First published.
Cyber Governance Code of Practice
This Code of Practice and wider governance package shows boards and directors how to manage digital risks and protect their businesses and organisations from cyber attacks. First published.
Information showing how the Cyber Governance Code of Practice maps to existing cyber standards and frameworks. First published.
Designated standards
Designated standards: gas appliances
Notices of publication and a consolidated list for designated standards for gas appliances. Notice of publication amended and consolidated list updated.
Regulations, Compliance, Procurement, and reporting requirements
Business payment practices and performance: reporting requirements
Guidance on the statutory reporting duty for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). Thresholds for defining a large business have been updated.
IP
Forms directions under Trade Marks and Designs Acts
Changes to trade marks, and designs forms to improve clarity and facilitate processing. First published.
List of trade mark forms and fees. : TM12, TM16, TM24C and TM31R updated to April 2025
List of design forms and fees. Form DF2B updated to April 2025.
IPO Transformation programme: second consultation
Seeking views on a package of changes to improve services in support of the Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) digital Transformation programme. The government response to this consultation has been added.
UK overseas intellectual property attaché network
Thinking of doing business in Southeast Asia, China, Latin America, North America, Middle East, North Africa and India? Help and advice is available through our IP liaison officers (attachés).
Attaché for India position filled by Divya Srinivasan.
Goods Movement
Issue plant passports to move regulated plant material in Great Britain
How growers and traders can get authorised as a professional operator to issue plant passports and when you need to be authorised.
If you’re authorised to issue UK plant passports, suppliers in EU member states can attach plant passports for you until 31 January 2027.
Importing, selling and labelling wine
Requirements for importers, retailers and wholesalers selling and labelling wine in Great Britain, including labelling laws for wine imports into England from 1 January 2024.
Updated section ‘Labelling wine imported directly into Scotland and Wales’. Direct imports to Scotland and Wales by businesses based in either Scotland or Wales will need to show the wine importer’s address, and prefix it with the term ‘importer’ or ‘imported by’.
Trade, investment, and export support
UK Delegation to South Korea – deadline 15th April
South Korea + Global! Digital Tech, Retail, Food, Beauty and Creative industries 10th – 13th June
Join The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) delegation, to explore South Korea and connect with 40 of the World’s leading Department Stores, at the World Department Store Summit, Seoul 9th – 13th June
This is a unique opportunity to access the Korean market AND connect with multiple global Department stores on a cross-sector delegation to the summit showcasing premium omnichannel, store design, digital commerce, retail tech and Gen AI opportunity, at the annual World Department Store summit.
World Department Store Summit
Organised by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, this year’s summit takes place in Seoul, South Korea.
WDSS is the world’s leading discussion platform for department store CEOs, senior executives and brands, suppliers, and service companies, to meet, network and exchange ideas. This year’s theme focuses on digital innovation, with DBT bringing delegates to the summit from a luxury, ecommerce, omnichannel, tech and future innovation perspective.
DBT have negotiated a 20% discount on the summit ticket price of £1350 lowering it to £1,080 for delegates, with a £250 fee to secure your place – Total: £1330
Draft Programme:
A comprehensive list of engagements designed to get you up to speed on the omnichannel landscape in South Korea and globally.
Tuesday 10th - Market Entry advice and support in Korea including meetings with leading digital and retail/Beauty players including leading marketplace Coupang.
Wednesday 11th - World Department Store Summit and Awards Dinner.
Thursday 12th - Continuation of the Summit and in the afternoon a tour of Lotte, South Koreas flagship store leading the way in digital innovation, followed by a networking reception at The British Embassy Korea.
Friday 13th June - Retail Safari introducing delegates to Seoul’s three most relevant and compelling retail precincts.
Who should join:
Food/Fashion/Homewear/Beauty retailers interested in omnichannel connections with the World’s leading Department Stores
Store design and Architects
Retail tech providers and solutions
Deadline to apply 15th April
For full details visit https://www.events.great.gov.uk/website/16321/
Update on Free Trade Agreement negotiations with South Korea
Update following round 4 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea First published
UK and Illinois trade and economic co-operation memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding (MOU) on trade and economic co-operation between the United Kingdom and the State of Illinois in the USA, signed 8 April 2025. First published.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund: evaluation
Documents relating to evaluation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Updated UKSPF: evaluation strategy.
Rural England Prosperity Fund: prospectus
Rural England Prosperity Fund prospectus and supporting documents: investment opportunities for eligible rural areas. We have added a new document called the Rural England Prosperity Fund: output and outcome indicators list for 2025 to 2026.
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, Global Human Rights, 10/04/2025 added.
HMRC updates
Screening Equality Impact Assessment for Capital Gains Tax rate change. First published.
Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances
Use these rates and allowances for Capital Gains Tax to work out your overall gains above your tax-free allowance, known as the annual exempt amount. Annual exempt amount limits and rates for Capital Gains Tax have been updated for the 2025 to 2026 tax year.
Rates and allowances for Corporation Tax
Rates, allowances and limits for Corporation Tax. Corporation Tax rates and allowances have been updated for tax year 2025 to 2026.
Pension schemes rates and allowances
Find out rates and allowances for pension schemes for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. Rates, allowances and duties have been updated for the tax year 2025 to 2026.
Preparing for the Multinational Top-up Tax and the Domestic Top-up Tax
Guidance on helping you prepare for the 2 new taxes introduced in the UK as part of the international response to the challenges of digitalisation.
Updated information about registration and reporting requirements, OECD standardisation and guidance.
CMA updates
How businesses should comply with consumer protection law on consumer reviews. First published.
Consumer protection: enforcement guidance (CMA58)
This guidance sets out the CMA’s consumer protection role and its approach to compliance and enforcement of consumer law. Updated consumer protection enforcement guidance published.
Direct consumer enforcement guidance: CMA200
How the CMA will use its direct consumer enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Direct consumer enforcement rules published.
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations – traders: OFT1008
This guidance was intended to help traders to comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). It is replaced by ‘CMA207: unfair commercial practices’ from 6 April 2025.
Unfair commercial practices guidance published.
Unfair commercial practices: CMA207
Guidance on business conduct that the law on unfair business-to-consumer trading prohibits under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. First published.
What businesses need to know about unfair commercial practices
A short guide to how businesses and traders must treat consumers fairly, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. First published.
Skills, employment, and training
Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list
Check which jobs are on the immigration salary list in each area of the UK. For the Skilled Worker visa and the Health and Care visa.
Spring rules change – salary thresholds and going rates on the skilled worker route.
Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations
Find out which jobs are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. Updated job titles.
Business changes that affect payment of Statutory Neonatal Care Pay
What happens if you’re an employer and you take over a business, stop trading, become insolvent or make an employee redundant. First published.
Rates and allowances: travel – mileage and fuel allowances
Rates and allowances for travel including mileage and fuel allowances.
Rates for fuel charges have been updated for 2025 to 2026.
Work out your employee's payments for Statutory Maternity Pay
Find out how to manually calculate Statutory Maternity Pay if your payroll software or the GOV.UK calculator does not work out your employee’s payments.
Updated Statutory Maternity Pay rates and limits for 2025 to 2026 tax year.
HSE updates
HSE Consultation - Deadline: 30 May 2025
The Great Britain Mandatory Classification and Labelling (GB MCL) process includes the consideration of information gathered from public consultations, conducted by HSE or international bodies such as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
ECHA has announced public consultations on the following proposals for harmonised classification and labelling (CLH):
1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,6,8,8-hexamethyl-2-naphthyl)ethan-1-one (EC: 216-133-4; 244-240-6; CAS: 1506-02-1; 21145-77-7). Chemical registered under REACH. Health and environment hazard classes open for commenting
2-butanone-O,O',O''-(phenylsilylidyne)trioxime (EC: 433-360-6; CAS: 34036-80-1). Chemical registered under REACH. Health and environment hazard classes open for commenting
butan-2-one O,O',O''-(methylsilylidyne)trioxime [1]; butan-2-one O,O',O''-(vinylsilylidyne)trioxime [2]; butan-2-one O,O',O'',O'''-silanetetrayltetraoxime [3] (EC: 245-366-4 [1]; 218-747-8 [2]; 251-882-0 [3]; CAS: 22984-54-9 [1]; 2224-33-1 [2]; 34206-40-1 [3]). Chemicals registered under REACH. Health hazard classes open for commenting
View the consultations on the ECHA website.
UK-based businesses with an interest in the proposal are strongly encouraged to share any relevant information.
Scientific and technical information should be submitted directly to ECHA using their commenting webform by 30 May 2025. Comments will be published on ECHA's website.
Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)
Carrier bag charges: retailers' responsibilities
Find out when you must charge a minimum of 10 pence for single-use carrier bags, bags you’re not required to charge for and the records you must keep and submit.
Updated the ‘report your records’ section. The reporting period from 7 April 2024 to 6 April 2025 is now open for retailers.
Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England
Workplace recycling in England changed on 31 March 2025. Guidance for all businesses, charities and public sector organisations on separating recyclable waste.
Workplace recycling rules in England changed on 31 March 2025. All businesses, charities and public sector organisations must separate their waste for recycling. We’ve updated the guidance to further clarify which workplaces must follow these rules and what waste must be recycled.