News

HMRC has presented the National Insurance Fund Accounts to Parliament as required under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. This annual financial report provides details of the fund’s revenue, expenditure and reserves, tracking contributions and benefit payments throughout the fiscal year. The accounts are a statutory disclosure document that ensures transparency in how National Insurance contributions are managed and allocated to support the social security system.

Source: HMRC (GOV.UK) – Read the original

HMRC has published the Economic Crime Supervision Handbook to guide staff on implementing their roles within the Economic Crime Supervision function. The handbook covers legislation interpretation, policy application, sanctions framework implementation, and powers available under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. External customers can also use the handbook to understand how sanctions are applied, with supporting training videos available through the EC Capability and Learning Zone.

Source: HMRC (GOV.UK) – Read the original

The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 modify how income and capital are treated across multiple Northern Ireland benefit schemes. The changes affect State Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Universal Credit regulations, adjusting the financial thresholds and disregards applied when calculating benefit entitlement. This amendment consolidates updates to five separate sets of Northern Ireland social security regulations governing means-tested and contribution-based benefits.

Source: legislation.gov.uk – Read the original

The Protection Against Detriment (Industrial Action) Regulations 2026 establish legal safeguards that specify which detriments workers cannot face when participating in industrial action, operating under powers granted by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. These regulations clarify the types of adverse treatment that employers are prohibited from inflicting on employees who take strike action or other forms of industrial action. The rules apply to workers across all sectors and establish a legal framework for protecting employment rights during labour disputes.

Source: legislation.gov.uk – Read the original

The Trade Unions (Right to Access Workplaces) Regulations 2026 establish a legal framework enabling trade union officials to enter employer premises and communicate with workers through various channels. The regulations permit access agreements between unions and employers, allowing union representatives to deliver information to staff either in person or through alternative means. This legislation forms part of a wider employment law reform package designed to formalise union engagement in workplace settings.

Source: legislation.gov.uk – Read the original

New emergency regulations establish flying restrictions over the Drymen area near Stirling in Scotland, effective from 2026. The regulations prohibit or limit aircraft operations within the designated zone to address an urgent safety or security concern. These temporary measures affect all operators conducting flights in the restricted airspace and require compliance with the specified flight limitations. Businesses and individuals planning air operations in the Stirling region must verify current airspace restrictions before conducting any flights.

Source: legislation.gov.uk – Read the original

The Code of Practice on the Right of Trade Unions to Access Workplaces, issued by the Secretary of State under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, will come into force on 30 October 2026. The Code sets out the framework governing trade union representatives’ rights to enter workplaces for union activities and member engagement. This Order formally establishes the implementation date for the new guidance that will affect employers and trade unions across the UK.

Source: legislation.gov.uk – Read the original

HMRC has published guidance on how businesses must submit payment for money laundering regulations fees and the expected timeframes for payments to be received and processed. The guidance covers payment methods available to regulated entities and clarifies how long businesses should allow for their payments to reach HMRC’s systems. This affects organisations subject to money laundering compliance requirements under UK financial regulations.

Source: HMRC (GOV.UK) – Read the original

HMRC’s VAT Notice 701/1 clarifies how Value Added Tax applies to charitable organisations, including the definition of a charity for VAT purposes, how different types of charitable income are treated, and the specific VAT reliefs available when charities purchase goods and services. The notice provides guidance for charity administrators and finance teams managing VAT compliance and maximising available exemptions and reliefs on charitable expenditure.

Source: HMRC (GOV.UK) – Read the original

The DIY housebuilders scheme allows individuals constructing new houses to reclaim VAT paid on materials and services used in the building process. This scheme enables eligible housebuilders to recover VAT costs that would normally be irrecoverable, provided they meet specific criteria set out by HMRC. The refund applies to qualifying new build residential properties and can represent a significant saving on construction expenditure.

Source: HMRC (GOV.UK) – Read the original