Our latest government update brings together key announcements, guidance and consultations relevant to businesses across the home, gift and retail sectors. This edition includes new guidance on disposable BBQs, plans to support UK high streets, packaging and EPR updates, changes to import and export classification guidance, employment reforms and the latest HMRC updates

Announcements and Calls for Evidence: 

Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQs

In response to the current droughts and heatwave, the Government has introduced statutory guidelines in relation to the supply of disposable BBQs.

First published.

PM vows to save “hollowed out high streets” with crackdown on vape and betting shops

High streets that have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities are set to face a crackdown under new powers announced by the Prime Minister.

First published.

UKHSA updates heat health alerts across England

An amber heat-health alert is now in place across all regions in England.

Updated with latest info.

Reforming the packing waste recycling note (PRN) system

Tell us what you think about possible reforms to the PRN system, which is used by producers to comply with their recycling obligations.

We received 81 responses to the consultation. We will publish a summary of responses in autumn 2026.

Make Work Pay: ending one-sided flexibility – reforms of zero hours and similar contracts

Added the following documents to the page: 'Analysis to support the consultation: covering note', 'Right to guaranteed hours: options assessment', 'Right to reasonable notice of shifts: options assessment', 'Right to payment for shifts cancelled, moved or curtailed at short notice: options assessment', 'Zero hours contracts evidence and policy implications: research paper', 'Experiences of workers in insecure work: research paper' and 'Experiences of workers in insecure work: research paper - data tables

Goods Movement

Classifying toys and games for import and export

Get help to classify various toys and games for import and export.

The sections ‘Hobby horses’, ‘Creativity sets or kits’, ‘Toy still image projectors’ and ‘Reduced-size (scale) model cars and similar articles’ have been added.

Sanctions

The UK Sanctions List

Find out which people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, and why.

Made 4 variations under the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda sanctions regime.

HMRC updates

Tell HMRC if you've claimed too much Research and Development (R&D) tax relief

Make a voluntary disclosure for any R&D claims made in error that are out of time to amend on your Company Tax Return.

Guidance added to section ‘Who can use the R&D disclosure service’ on correcting an RDEC claim made under the small and medium enterprise scheme, after the time limit for amending Company Tax Return has passed.

Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)

Extended producer responsibility for packaging: generate a packaging data file

If you need to submit packaging data under extended producer responsibility for packaging, this spreadsheet can help you generate a valid packaging data file