News & Articles Hub
Government Updates
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Ongoing Action: Impact of evolving situation in the Middle East
Please continue to share the following information with us:
How the Middle East situation is impacting your business/members
Potential issues your business/members foresee(s) arising in the coming weeks
Any asks of Government from your business/members to support managing these impacts, including any further information that would be helpful from Government
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at retailandconsumergoods@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Many thanks to those of you who have shared updates.
Announcements and Calls for Evidence:
No10 North open for business as the Government’s new situation room for making Britain better
Andy Burnham will become the first Prime Minister to work from No10 North as he declares the days of power being hoarded in SW1 are over.
First published.
Prime Minister’s opening remarks to staff following his arrival at No 10 North: 24 July 2026
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s remarks to staff following his arrival at No 10 North.
First published.
New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living
New Prime Minister takes immediate action to cut taxes on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space this winter.
First published.
Ministerial Appointments: July 2026
The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments.
Further appointments have been made and this page has been updated.
New Business Secretary at Farnborough International Airshow to set out stall to go further and faster for growth by commercialising science and innovation to deliver for every postcode.
First published.
Chancellor John Healey delivers speech to Treasury staff
On 21 July Chancellor John Healey delivered his first speech to Treasury staff.
First published.
Prime Minister pledges growth in every postcode across whole of UK as he visits Scotland
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will pledge to deliver growth in every postcode across the UK as he visits Scotland during his first week in office.
First published.
For the first time, AI will be positioned at the very centre of government, thanks to the launch of the PM’s new AI Taskforce which will be chaired by Lord Vallance.
First published.
£2 bus fares from January 2027
Single bus fares in England to be capped at £2 for 2027.
First published.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland appointment: Sir Chris Bryant statement
Sir Chris Bryant sets out his priorities as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
First published.
Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues
Continuing his drive to build an economy that works for every postcode, the Prime Minister has taken action to cut business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues across England from April next year.
First published.
Customs Modernisation
We welcome views on the future of international trade and the impacts of digitalised and modernised practices on the UK customs regime.
Added direct video link for the Webinar.
Stronger asbestos controls needed to keep kids safe
Government tells business.
First published
Assuring the absence of asbestos in sand-containing toys
An advisory note clarifying OPSS’ expectations of businesses to understand and control the risk of asbestos contamination throughout the product supply chain.
First published.
Late payments: tackling poor payment practices
We are seeking views on legislative measures which address late, long and disputed business-to-business payments, and the use of retention clauses in construction contracts.
‘Late payment consultation annex 2: agreement with 60-day maximum payment terms by business size’ added to the response.
Regulations, Compliance, Supply Chains, Procurement, and reporting requirements
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.
Clarified the guidance on using movement schemes when moving in-scope products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, and from rest of world (RoW) to Northern Ireland.
National regulation: construction products
Information for the construction industry and wider built environment.
“Business notifications of unsafe and non-compliant products” added to “Supporting business awareness and understanding” section.
MOD small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) action plan
The Ministry of Defence is backing your business by delivering the most comprehensive package of support for small and medium-sized enterprises in a generation.
First published.
Procurement Act 2023 guidance documents – Manage phase
These documents are intended to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation and understanding of the Procurement Act 2023
Updated to provide further clarity on valuing contracts and payments.
IP
Intellectual Property materials and assets for stakeholders
This page provides partners and stakeholders with ready to use content to support the intellectual property office (IPO) business campaign.
First published
Goods Movement
CDS
Please find attached a forward look of potential CDS changes. This document contains an overview of changes that are in the current CDS release pipeline but it is not an exhaustive list and may be subject to change. This list should be used as an indicator only and should not be taken as confirmation that a particular change is guaranteed to be introduced.
SPS agreement: preparing your business
Prepare your business for the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement if you trade or move plants, plant products, animals, animal products, feed and food.
Updated the guidance for ‘Food production, plants, animals and associated sectors’, to clarify that while negotiations are ongoing, farmers and growers do not need to make changes to their pesticide use. Detailed guidance and information will be provided following the completion of negotiations.
Trade, export, and UK investment
Check the availability and any issues affecting the Register to complete origin declarations under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement service.
First published.
TRA to review Chinese ceramic tableware and kitchenware measure
The TRA has opened an interim review examining the significant increase of imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China.
First published.
Anti-dumping measure maintained on bikes from China
An anti-dumping measure on bicycles and certain bicycle parts imported from China will be maintained until August 2029 following a transition review.
First published.
Trade remedies notices: anti-dumping duty on bicycles and bicycle parts from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia
Trade remedies notices published by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (previously Secretary of State for Business and Trade) relating to the anti-dumping duty on bicycles and bicycle parts from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia.
‘Trade remedies taxation notice 2026/21: anti-dumping duty on bicycles and certain bicycle parts originating from China (including bicycles consigned from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tunisia)’ added.
Find an Export Finance Manager
Export Finance Managers are regional representatives of UKEF. They are valuable contacts for exporters and businesses with export potential.
EFMs updated for Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire and Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and South Wiltshire
The UK's accession to CPTPP for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Information on the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and how CPTPP can benefit and support SMEs.
Dates of entry into force updated on ‘CPTPP member countries’ section of attachment page.
Sanctions
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 2 variations and 1 correction under the Russia sanctions regime. Added 1 new specification under the Libya sanctions regime.
HMRC updates
Use the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) Advisory Panel opinion to help you recognise when arrangements may be abusive tax arrangements.
First published.
CMA updates
Transparency and disclosure – statement of CMA’s policy and approach: CMA6
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) policy and approach to transparency and information disclosure.
Updated CMA6 transparency and disclosure statement published
Refreshing our guidance on unfair contract terms
The CMA is consulting on draft revised guidance on unfair contract terms (CMA37).
Responses and final outcome published
Skills, employment, and training
TechFirst is the government’s flagship tech skills programme opening pathways into the UK’s fast-growing tech sector, providing opportunities across all parts of the UK.
Guidance updated.
Latest information and actions from the Department for Education about funding, assurance and resource management, for academies, local authorities and further education providers.
First published.
Sustainability, Resources and Waste, including EPR (packaging)
Public register of reprocessors and exporters of UK packaging waste
List of all operators registered and accredited under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.
Updated the public register.
Packaging data: how to create your file for extended producer responsibility
How to structure your packaging data submission. It includes information about the different types of data you need to submit and the codes you need to use.
Updated file specification guidance for 2026 packaging data. The only change is to the rules on how to report closed loop packaging waste data.
The Monitoring and Reporting Regulation, as modified by the UK ETS Order, allows nationally reported data to be used by operators as default factors in specific circumstances.
Published the carbon emission factors and calorific values from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 2026.