A slew of fresh regulations is poised to take effect in 2026, impacting waste management, travel, and labor laws. Households will see changes in waste disposal methods, including new bins for food waste collections. The crackdown on unethical landlords and employers will have widespread implications in the UK.
One significant change coming this year is the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill on May 1. This legislation will bring major shifts for tenants, abolishing no-fault evictions among other reforms. Landlords in the private rental sector will now need valid reasons to evict tenants, addressing long-standing concerns.
In April, the minimum wage is set to rise again. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and above will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour. Additionally, the minimum wage for individuals aged 18-20 will rise to £10.85, and for 16-17 year olds, it will be £8.00. The government touts this raise as a boost for low-paid workers.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, another change arriving on May 1 will eliminate fixed-term contracts for tenancies in the private rental sector. Instead, agreements will roll over monthly or weekly without set end dates, providing renters with more flexibility to terminate contracts with a two-month notice period.
Starting March 31, new recycling regulations will require households to have four separate bins for food and garden waste, paper and card, dry recyclables (e.g., glass, metal, plastic), and non-recyclable waste. These changes aim to enhance waste management efficiency.
In April, paternity leave will become an immediate entitlement, allowing employees to request leave from day one without needing 26 weeks of service. Similarly, ordinary parental leave will also be available from day one, removing the previous one-year work requirement. Moreover, restrictions on taking paternity leave after shared parental leave will be lifted.
Effective April, statutory sick pay will commence from the first day of illness instead of the fourth day. The Employment Rights Act will phase out the lower earnings limit, ensuring more workers qualify for sick pay. Additionally, laws will prohibit ticket resale above face value for events, with service charges capped and sellers restricted from exceeding initial ticket entitlements.
From January 1, individuals must pass a theory test to fly drones or model aircraft weighing 100g or more. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Flyer ID requirement will impact an estimated 500,000 individuals. Travel changes in Europe include the Entry Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee for registration.
An advertising ban on high fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) products will commence in January, limiting their visibility on TV and online during specific hours. Additionally, the practice of ‘fire and rehire’ will be prohibited from October, safeguarding workers from exploitative dismissal and rehiring tactics.
Starting April 6, employees working from home will no longer be eligible for tax relief on additional expenses. This change, announced by Rachel Reeves in the Budget, will impact deductions for increased household costs.