Home Office launch consultation on licensing scheme for knife sellers: The measures proposed would introduce mandatory licences for businesses and private sellers, as well as for importers of knives and bladed items. Sellers could face police suitability checks, mandatory age verification and secure packaging requirements. Import licences would prevent sellers from moving operations overseas to avoid regulation. It is proposed that the Police would administer the licensing system and that there would be a designated person responsible for the licence within the business and each individual physical premises would hold a licence. Responses are required by 24 February. View >
Consultation launched on plans for new single construction regulator: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has issued a consultation on a prospectus for creation of a new single construction regulator. It is proposed that the new regulator will consolidate regulatory functions currently held by multiple regulatory bodies, improving productivity and user experience by streamlining operational efficiencies alongside building a more holistic regulatory environment informed by insight and evidence. It is proposed to transfer the Buildings Safety Regulator from the HSE to a new standalone body which will act as the home for the new integrated regulator. Responses are required by 20 March. Press release > Consultation >
Advertising watchdog rules against ‘free pillow’ offer: The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that an offer involving ‘2 free pillows or a £75 discount’ when buying a mattress from ‘Otty sleep’ breached the codes are there was insufficient evidence of as to the reference price being established. View >
HM Treasury announce gambling duty changes and backtrack on inheritance tax thresholds for farmers and private businesses: HM Treasury has highlighted the abolition of Bingo Duty from 1st April 2026 and an increase in the duty on remote gambling from 21% to 40% from 1 April 2026. Remote betting will see an increase in duty from 15% to 25% from 1 April 2027. The Department for Culture Media and Sport has published guidance on the operation of the statutory gambling levy on gambling operators. HM Treasury has announced that the £1m Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will be increased to £2.5m from 1 April 2026 – allowing spouses or civil partners to pass on up to £5m in qualifying agricultural or business assets between them. Bingo duty > Statutory gambling levy > Inheritance tax relief threshold > UK Hospitality >
Consultation launched on transparency and governance of card processing fees: The Payment Systems Regulator is consulting on the draft directions on information transparency and complexity and on pricing governance requirements for card scheme operators. Responses are required by 13 February. View >
Consultation launched on future regulatory regime for crypto assets: The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a detailed consultation on a proposed regulatory regime including on:
- Admissions and disclosures – Rules for listing cryptoassets and what firms must tell investors.
- Market abuse – Measures to stop insider trading and manipulation.
- Cryptoasset trading platforms – Standards for exchanges to keep trading safe and reliable.
- Intermediaries – Requirements for brokers and other intermediaries, so they act responsibly.
- Staking – Making sure the risks are clear when firms offer staking – a service that lets you lock up your crypto for a reward.
- Lending and borrowing – Rules to protect both crypto lenders and borrowers.
- Decentralised finance (DeFi) – DeFi lets people trade, lend and borrow using crypto without an intermediary. asking if the same rules that apply in traditional finance should also apply here.
- Prudential requirements – Financial safeguards for firms, so they can better manage risk.
Responses are required by 12 February. View >
