A variety of new regulations will be implemented in 2026, affecting waste management, travel, and employment practices. Households will receive new bins to accommodate food waste collections due to updated recycling guidelines. Additionally, measures targeting unethical landlords and dishonest employers will impact individuals nationwide.
One significant change is the Renters’ Rights Bill, effective from May 1, which will bring an end to no-fault evictions in the private rental sector. Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a valid reason, providing more security for renters.
In April, the National Living Wage will increase by 4.1%, reaching £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. The minimum wage for individuals aged 18 to 20 will rise to £10.85, and for 16 and 17 year olds, it will increase to £8.00, ensuring better pay for low-income workers.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, effective May 1, fixed-term contracts will be phased out in the private rental sector. Tenancies will automatically roll over on a monthly or weekly basis, offering renters increased flexibility to terminate agreements with a two-month notice period.
Starting March 31, new “Simpler Recycling” regulations will mandate households to have four separate bins for food/garden waste, paper/card, dry recyclables (e.g., glass, metal, plastic), and non-recyclable waste. This change aims to streamline waste management practices.
Paternity leave will become an immediate entitlement from April, allowing employees to request leave from day one without the previous 26-week work requirement. Similarly, ordinary parental leave will also be accessible from day one, eliminating the previous 1-year employment condition.
Effective April, statutory sick pay will commence from the first day of illness instead of the fourth day. The Employment Rights Act will gradually abolish the lower earnings limit for statutory sick pay eligibility, ensuring wider coverage for workers.
Legislation set to take effect in 2026 will prohibit the resale of event tickets above face value, implementing caps on service charges on resale platforms. Sellers will be restricted from reselling more tickets than originally allocated, ensuring fair ticket distribution.
A new requirement starting January will mandate individuals flying drones or model aircraft weighing 100g or more to pass a theory test. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) test will grant a Flyer ID, previously required only for heavier drones, impacting an estimated 500,000 people.
Travelers to Europe in 2026 will encounter the Entry Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens, necessitating registration at the EU border via passport scanning, fingerprinting, and photography. Additionally, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will introduce a €20 fee for adults under 70, valid for up to three years.
Commencing in January, a ban on junk food advertising will restrict high-fat, sugar, or salt products from TV broadcasts between 5:30am and 9pm, and from online platforms at all times, with outdoor advertising exemptions.
Starting October, the Employment Rights Act will outlaw the practice of “fire and rehire,” preventing employers from dismissing and rehiring employees on inferior terms. This action will constitute an automatically unfair dismissal in most cases.
From April 6, individuals working from home will no longer be eligible for tax relief on additional expenses incurred. Previously deductible costs, such as increased bills and business calls, will no longer qualify for tax relief, as announced by Rachel Reeves in the Budget.