Fiscal Policy
Goods declarations move to a new UK Trader Support Service platform on 20 October
HMRC urged users of the service to enrol in advance before the platform change.
Data includedNEWSVERUM / Global briefing
20 storiesUnited Kingdom News
United Kingdom: source-linked stories on projects, data and official announcements. A story is listed when its record names the country; locations are never inferred.
Government
England courts begin formally recording domestic-abuse findings
A rule effective from 5 October requires courts to record when domestic abuse was a factor in an offence and share the finding across justice agencies.
Data includedGovernment
England Water Bill would remove government shareholding caps
The government said rules limiting its shareholding in major water and sewerage companies to 1–3% would be removed.
Data includedGovernment
UK rail strategy will assess buying trains against leasing
Great British Railways will assess public ownership, leasing or other financing for new trains based on value for passengers and taxpayers.
Data includedPolitics
England expands Social Housing Bill on homelessness prevention and stock
The government plans to let councils refer homeless households to social landlords and introduce an eight-week notice period before social homes are sold.
Data includedGovernment
UK announces procurement and insourcing measures in state reform
A new Prime Minister’s Office unit will coordinate insourcing, while utility companies will be expected to support local jobs and apprenticeships.
Data includedPolitics
UK bill would remove faith-based restriction on prime ministerial advice
The bill would remove a rule preventing a Roman Catholic or Jewish prime minister from advising the monarch on Church of England appointments.
Data includedGovernment
UK and EU review Windsor Framework implementation
The joint committee reviewed customs and sanitary controls for goods moving to Northern Ireland and confirmed no customs duties on consumer parcels covered by the arrangements.
Data includedHealth
England sets out patient-safety actions after Thirlwall inquiry
The English government announced initial measures on neonatal safety, safeguarding and accountability following the Thirlwall Inquiry into Countess of Chester Hospital.
Data includedFiscal Policy
New HMRC registration service delivers tax reference in 72 hours
The UK’s online Self Assessment registration now includes pre-filled forms and a save-and-return function.
Data includedGovernment
UK government lawyers receive updated legal-risk guidance
The guidance updates risk-assessment and escalation procedures for lawyers advising UK ministers.
Data includedFiscal Policy
HMRC details temporary zero VAT plan for domestic electricity in Great Britain
The 8 September tax note sets out a 0% rate for qualifying electricity supplies during 1 October 2026–31 March 2027.
Data included