Our latest government update brings together key announcements, guidance and consultations relevant to businesses across the home, gift and retail sectors.

Announcements and Calls for Evidence:

Ministers to boost innovation in payments with new objective for Bank of England

The Government intends to give the Bank of England a new responsibility to support innovation in payment systems and emerging forms of digital money, whilst continuing to prioritise financial stability.

First published.

Five Eyes back UK-led action to disrupt global fraud networks

US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand back a package of UK-led measures to strengthen international action against fraud and online scams

First published.

Planning powers for mayors in England

We are seeking views on how planning powers for mayors of strategic authorities in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 should be implemented.

First published.

Breathing space on your energy bill

Find out how the VAT cut on household electricity bills will work for you.

First published.

Cost of living and young people priorities for the PM during first visit to Northern Ireland

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Northern Ireland as part of his summer tour of the United Kingdom.

First published.

CMA secures compensation for heating oil customers

Hundreds set to receive compensation after their orders were cancelled following the conflict in the Middle East.

First published.

Net zero ports: challenges and opportunities

Seeking information on the challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonising ports towards net zero practices.

Summary of responses and next steps added.

Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements

UK CBAM: Current qualifying carbon pricing schemes

A provisional list intended to help importers prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

First published.

Check if your goods have been subject to a qualifying carbon pricing scheme

Find out if embodied emissions in your Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) goods have been subject to a qualifying carbon pricing scheme.
Information about current qualifying carbon pricing schemes has been added.

Achieving stability and growth in the UK chemical sector

This letter provides advice to the Prime Minister on achieving stability and growth in the UK chemical sector.

First published.

Bans on F gas in new products and equipment: current and future

Uses of fluorinated gases (F gases) that are banned or will be banned in the future.

Added 3 exemptions to the table ‘Air conditioning and heat pump systems: F gases banned in new products’, for all F gases banned for use in ‘single split’ systems that contain less than 3kg of refrigerant (a system with one cooling coil connected to a remote condensing unit).

Goods Movement

Moving, exporting or placing deforestation-free products on the market in Northern Ireland

Steps businesses must take to make sure their products meet the EU regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) if they market them in, move them to or export them from Northern Ireland.

Updates made across 5 sections. Under ‘Exemptions’, added ‘rattan’ to the list of exempt products. Removed all references to goods not for resale (GNFR) as there is no specific exemption for GNFR (meaning goods bought by businesses for internal, non-commercial use) under EUDR. Added detail on when packing materials and supplies are exempt. Clarified the definition under ‘Micro and small primary operators (MSPOs)’. Added the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) to the list of movement schemes you can continue to use. Explained where to provide the DDS reference number for Great Britain to Northern Ireland business to consumer movements. Updated the information on ‘Re-importing products previously placed on the EU or Northern Ireland market’ to reflect that the product does not need to have been placed on the Great Britain market. Removed the line ‘Further guidance will be provided on this shortly’ as the extent of obligations has now been clarified in the wording of the text.

Sign up for the Trader Support Service

If you move goods in or out of Northern Ireland the Trader Support Service will guide you through any changes due to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.

Information has been added about upcoming changes to the Trader Support Service.

Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain

Import plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain

How to import plants, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, trees, seeds and used agricultural machinery from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, and from non-EU countries to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

The way you contact APHA has changed because the email address planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk is no longer in use. A link to the contact form has been added.

Customs Intermediary Webinar

HMRC are excited to invite customs intermediaries, traders, representative bodies, and all interested stakeholders to join our upcoming HMRC webinar, confirmed for Tuesday 8 September 2026 from 13:00 – 14:00 on Microsoft Teams.

This session focuses on the Consultation on Introducing Mandatory Registration for Customs Intermediaries, which started on 22 June 2026 and ends on 21 September 2026. Customs intermediaries play a crucial role in supporting traders with their customs obligations and facilitating the movement of goods across borders. Through extensive industry engagement, the government has found strong support for raising standards across the sector and boosting confidence in the services provided by customs intermediaries.

During the webinar, HMRC will present an overview of the consultation, covering:

         - The rationale behind the introduction of mandatory registration

          - The proposed scope of the regime

- Minimum requirements for registration

- The enforcement approach being considered

- Ways for stakeholders to contribute to the consultation

HMRC colleagues will also provide a brief overview of the recently published Call for Evidence on Customs Modernisation. This will offer stakeholders a chance to understand how they can get involved in shaping the future of the UK customs regime.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share initial feedback on both the consultation and the call for evidence.

Webinar Details:

Date: Tuesday 8 September 2026

Time: 13:00 – 14:00

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/339193810278048?p=3UrKHIoHmU19WIi4NC

Meeting ID: 339 193 810 278 048

Passcode: tW3s8Hg7 

Trade, export, and UK investment

UK secures full access to £13 trillion CPTPP trading bloc

As of Tuesday 1 September, UK businesses now have full access to the £13 trillion CPTPP trading bloc.

First published.

British diplomacy to help UK businesses grow internationally

FCDO launches Global Network Programme, giving UK businesses access to British diplomatic expertise to support international trade opportunities.

First published.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: evaluation strategy, tools and guidance

Documents relating to evaluation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Updated title to ‘evaluation strategy, tools and guidance’.

Sanctions

The UK Sanctions List

Made 3 variations under the Afghanistan sanctions regime.

Chancellor statement on Iran sanctions

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey statement on further Iran sanctions

First published.

UK leads way in disrupting shadowy Russian sanctions evasion network

Chancellor calls on allies to step up their pressure on Russia and sets out new action to stop Putin evading sanctions to fund his illegal war.

First published.

HMRC updates

Minimum certification requirements for a mass balance approach for Plastic Packaging Tax

Find out about the minimum certification requirements when using a mass balance approach for chemically recycled plastic from 1 April 2027.

First published.

Preparing to use a mass balance approach for Plastic Packaging Tax

Find out how your business can get ready to use a mass balance approach to account for chemically recycled plastic for the Plastic Packaging Tax.

First published.

Check which packaging is subject to Plastic Packaging Tax

Check what classifies as plastic, recycled plastic and packaging components, and if the packaging you manufacture or import is subject to the tax.

The section ‘Pre-consumer plastic’ has been updated as pre-consumer plastic waste will not be accepted as a source of recycled plastic for the purpose of Plastic Packaging Tax from 1 April 2027

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 advisory fuel rates for company cars have been updated.

OPSS updates

Product Recalls and Alerts

Information on OPSS product safety alerts, reports and recalls for unsafe products and resources for consumers, businesses and regulators.

Featured recalls updated.

Skills, employment, and training

Zero hours contracts: guidance for employers

Guidance on zero hours contracts – includes information on how to use them, employment rights and alternatives.

First published

Pathways to Work Innovation Fund

Information about the Innovation Fund, including how to apply.

First published.

Sir David Bell stands down as Vice Chair of Skills England

Vice Chair of Skills England stands down

First published.

Apprenticeship unit funding rules: 2026 to 2027

The rules for apprenticeship unit funding.

Removed references to the ILR under the ‘evidencing delivery hours’ section in the 2026 to 2027 unit funding rules.

Implementing the Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act

The updated implementation timeline for the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Act 2025.

‘Employment Rights Act: timeline update’ attachment updated in timetable section to confirm implementation of electronic and workplace balloting for statutory trade union ballots on 25 August 2026.

Industrial action ballots and notice to employers: code of practice

Practical guidance to trade unions and employers to promote the improvement of industrial relations and good practice in the conduct of trade union industrial action ballots.

Added link to ‘Electronic and workplace balloting: code of practice’

10,000 work experience opportunities for young people as Sainsbury's joins national drive to tackle youth unemployment

Thousands of young people across the UK will get the chance to gain work experience, build confidence and develop skills to help them get ready for work as Sainsbury’s launches a major new “Modern Work Experience Programme” designed to help more young people into employment.

First published.

Fair Work Agency: enforcement policy statement

The regulatory tools and guiding structures utilised by the Fair Work Agency to enforce labour market legislation within its remit.

Added content to explain the Fair Work Agency modern slavery remit. Added ‘FWA has a role to protect vulnerable and exploited workers under sections 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act. Updated it from ‘FWA has a role to protect vulnerable and exploited workers covering certain aspects of the Modern Slavery Act.’ Added ‘Where serious labour exploitation does not meet the threshold for a modern slavery offence, the FWA may investigate and prosecute offences under the Fraud Act 2006 to tackle exploitative practices and protect vulnerable workers.’

Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)

UK Emissions Trading Scheme scope expansion: waste

The UK ETS Authority is seeking views on the implementation of the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to energy from waste and waste incineration.

Published an update outlining that expansion of the UK ETS to waste incineration will not take place in 2028 as originally intended. A new timeline will be set out in due course.