The start of the new year brings a range of fresh laws that will impact Brits in the months ahead. Travelers should take note of new border controls and a £17 fee for European travel, set to be enforced from late 2026. Additionally, households may see an extra bin due to updated recycling regulations requiring waste separation into four distinct categories.
Efforts to combat unhealthy eating habits continue with a ban on junk food advertising and restrictions on children purchasing high-caffeine drinks. Workplace rules are being enhanced to improve employee rights, and a minimum wage increase is expected in the spring.
Renters can anticipate changes including a ban on no-fault evictions, the end of fixed contracts and bidding wars, and new powers to combat benefit fraud through automatic debt collection.
Moreover, Brits traveling to Europe will encounter a new Entry Exit System (EES) that requires registration at the EU border. A fee of £17 for visitors to EU countries is expected to be introduced later in the year. Separate regulations for non-Brits entering the UK will mandate an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors from certain nationalities.
In England, new recycling regulations will require households to separate waste into four categories, aiming to simplify the recycling process. These changes are set to take effect by March 31 and will impact waste collection services, ensuring the collection of various waste streams from every household.
Furthermore, measures to address ticket touting and enhance anti-terror regulations are in the pipeline. A proposed law named after Martyn Hett will require larger venues to prepare for potential terror attacks, while legislation to prevent ticket touts from selling tickets above face value aims to benefit fans and improve access to events.
The government is also pushing for legislation to legalize assisted dying, with a bill allowing terminally ill adults to request an assisted death. This bill is currently under consideration in Parliament, with potential implementation before the end of the current parliamentary session.
As part of efforts to clamp down on fraud and protect taxpayers’ money, the Department for Work and Pensions will receive new powers to prevent benefit fraud through direct debt collection from bank accounts. These changes are expected to save taxpayers £1.5 billion by 2029/2030.
Moreover, minimum wage rates are set to increase in April 2026, with the National Living Wage rising to £12.71 per hour. Workers aged 18-20 and 16-17 will also see increases in their minimum wages, providing a real-terms pay rise for low-paid workers.
Overall, these new laws and regulations aim to enhance various aspects of life in the UK, from travel and housing to workplace rights and consumer protections.