UK Change Tracker: What’s Changing and When
Browse changes across the UK, see when they take effect and find out who is affected.
Browse changes by date or topic
See what is changing today, this month, in the future or what has already changed.
Topic
October 2026
BBC News Launches on YouTube in the UK
Who it affects: People in the UK who watch live news online, use YouTube, or follow BBC News.
Changed
Appliances Direct Refunds and Gold’s Gym Refunds Ordered for Customers
Who it affects: Customers who bought appliances from Appliances Direct and eligible Gold’s Gym members who were affected by the sales practices covered by the CMA enforcement action.
Changed
UK Drivers Can Now See Fuel Prices in Google Maps
Who it affects: UK drivers and people who regularly buy petrol or diesel.
Changed
UK Airport e-Gates Begin Contactless Passport Checks
Who it affects: British citizens arriving in the UK on a British passport who may be able to use contactless e-gates at participating airports, plus other travellers who need to understand the staged rollout.
Changed
Awaab’s Law Introduces New Damp and Mould Deadlines in Scotland
Who it affects: People living in relevant social and private rented accommodation in Scotland.
Changed
Scottish Wrongful-Termination Payments Increase From 6th October 2026
Who it affects: Private tenants who may have a claim for a wrongful-termination payment, and private landlords operating private residential tenancies in Scotland.
Changed
Scottish Private Tenancy Succession Period Falls From 12 Months to 6 Months
Who it affects: Private tenants and people who may be entitled to succeed to a private residential tenancy, plus private landlords who need to understand the rules.
Changed
Housing Benefit Earnings Disregard Changes From October 2026
Who it affects: Working-age Housing Benefit claimants living in qualifying supported housing or temporary accommodation who have earnings from work.
Changed
Wales Alcohol Minimum Unit Price Rises to 65p From October 2026
Who it affects: People who live in Wales and buy alcohol in Wales, including shoppers and people buying alcohol from licensed premises.
Changed
Northern Ireland Introduces New Learner and New Driver Rules From 1st October 2026
Who it affects: Learner drivers and newly qualified drivers affected by Northern Ireland's Graduated Driver Licensing system
Changed
Children’s Flu Vaccinations at Pharmacies Begin in England From October 2026
Who it affects: Children aged 2 and 3, and children aged 2 to under 18 who are in an eligible clinical risk group, who use NHS flu vaccination services in England.
Changed
Scotland Restricts Multi-Buy Offers and Supermarket Displays From 1st October 2026
Who it affects: Shoppers in Scotland and businesses covered by the new rules, including qualifying retailers with 50 or more employees that sell or promote specified less healthy food and drink.
Changed
Right to Rent Digital Checks Change From 1 October 2026
Who it affects: Renters, landlords and letting agents in England who need to understand the Right to Rent changes taking effect on 1 October 2026.
Changed
Right to Work Checks 2026: New Regulated Digital Verification Route
Who it affects: Employers, business owners, HR staff, recruiters and employees or workers who need to understand changes to right-to-work checks from 1 October 2026.
Changed
Employment Tribunal Time Limit: Claim Deadline Increases to Six Months
Who it affects: Employees and workers in England, Scotland and Wales who may need to understand employment tribunal deadlines, with employers also affected by the change.
Changed
Tobacco Duty October 2026: Cigarettes and Tobacco Face Higher Tax
Who it affects: Smokers and people who buy cigarettes, rolling tobacco or other tobacco products.
Changed
Electricity VAT Cut 2026: Rate Falls From 5% to 0% Until March 2027
Who it affects: Households in England, Scotland and Wales with qualifying domestic electricity supplies.
Changed
Energy Price Cap October 2026: Typical Annual Figure Rises to £1,723
Who it affects: Households in England, Scotland and Wales on default energy tariffs.
Changed
Vaping Tax October 2026: New £2.20 Duty Per 10ml of Vape Liquid
Who it affects: People who buy or use vaping products, plus manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers.
Changed
What’s Changing in October 2026? Key UK Changes and Dates
Who it affects: Households and consumers affected by the October 2026 changes covered in this guide; employees and employers affected by employment changes; renters and landlords affected by housing changes; drivers affected by Northern Ireland changes; smokers and people who use vaping products affected by tobacco and vaping duty changes; people affected by October 2026 immigration changes.
Changed
September 2026
Disabled Persons Railcard Eligibility Expanded on 30th September 2026
Who it affects: People who may qualify for the expanded Disabled Persons Railcard criteria, including people with long-term conditions or neurodivergence that significantly affects rail travel.
Changed
August 2026
England’s New Bus Rules Allow Fines for Playing Music Out Loud
Who it affects: Bus passengers and local transport authorities in England; applicable enforcement depends on Secretary of State approval of local byelaws.
Changed
July 2026
Buy Now, Pay Later Rules Changed on 15th July 2026
Who it affects: People entering covered interest-free Deferred Payment Credit agreements with third-party lenders from 15th July 2026; consumers using BNPL services and customers experiencing repayment difficulties.
Changed
November 2025
Companies House Identity Verification Becomes Mandatory
Who it affects: Company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) who must verify their identity with Companies House and submit their personal code for each relevant company role.
Changed
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