A raft of new laws will impact Brits in 2026, from new border controls and a £17 fee to travel to Europe to four-bin recycling rules, a junk food ad ban from January, and DWP powers to tackle benefit fraud
The dawn of the new year heralds a slew of fresh laws that Brits will need to watch out for in the coming months.
Holidaymakers should be aware of new border controls and a new £17 fee for European travel from late 2026. Households might find themselves with an additional bin due to revamped recycling regulations mandating waste separation into four distinct categories.
The government’s ongoing battle against unhealthy eating habits continues, with a junk food advertising ban set to take effect and plans to prohibit children from purchasing high-caffeine drinks. A new suite of workplace rules will enhance employee rights and protections, alongside a minimum wage increase this spring.
Renters can expect significant changes with the implementation of a no-fault eviction ban and the termination of fixed contracts and bidding wars. Concurrently, the government’s clampdown on benefit fraud persists with the introduction of new powers enabling automatic debt collection.
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Here, we’ve summarised some of the major changes Brits can anticipate in the coming months and their potential impact on you, reports the Manchester Evening News.
New border controls and a £17 fee to travel to Europe
New regulations for Brits travelling to Europe were initiated in 2025, with more alterations expected next year.
The new Entry Exit System (EES) mandates non-EU citizens, including Brits, to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and providing their fingerprints and photograph. The EES is necessary when entering Schengen area countries, such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, but it’s not required for travel to Ireland and Cyprus.
This new system started its six-month phased roll-out in October, so different ports will be implementing the new rules up until April 2026. Under the system, travellers won’t need to take any action before their trip and there’s no cost involved.
However, a new fee for people visiting EU countries is set to be introduced towards the end of next year. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is slated to be launched in the final quarter of 2026.
The fee will be 20 euros, about £17, for any adult under the age of 70. Once paid, registration will be valid for up to three years.
Unlike with the EES, the ETIAS will require travellers to apply online ahead of their trip.
New ETA scheme for visitors to the UK
There will also be new regulations for non-Brits arriving in the UK.
From February 25, visitors from 85 nationalities, including the United States, Canada, and France, who don’t need a visa will not be able to legally travel to the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
The ETA scheme has been gradually implemented over the past few years, but from February it will be fully enforced. This means that anyone wishing to visit the UK must have digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa, which carriers will check before travel.
The government has stated that this change represents a “significant step towards digitising the immigration system” and “paves the way for a contactless UK border in the future”.
Since the introduction of the ETA in October 2023, more than 13.3million visitors have successfully applied. The government has declared the ETA as now being “a fundamental part of travel, including for visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control”.
Visitors can apply for an ETA via the official UK ETA app at a cost of £16. According to the government, most people currently receive a decision automatically within minutes, but it is advised to allow three working days in case an application requires additional review.
British and Irish citizens, including those with dual citizenship, are exempt from needing an ETA.
New recycling bin rules for every household
The government is introducing new rules across England in an effort to boost recycling rates among households. It is hoped that these changes will improve bin day, making it easier to sort your rubbish and understand what can and cannot be recycled.
From March 31, new ‘Simpler Recycling’ regulations will require all local authorities to collect four distinct waste streams separately, meaning every household will need four separate bins. The changes won’t impact everyone, as some areas may already be meeting the new requirements.
Waste collection services will be required to gather food and garden waste, paper and cardboard, all other dry recyclable materials such as glass and plastic, and non-recyclable waste destined for landfill. All these waste categories must be collected from every household, including flats.
Steve Cole, managing director of Biffa Municipal, commented: “For too long, households have struggled with a muddled and confusing patchwork of approaches to their bin collections. Simpler Recycling will make recycling easier and more consistent by ensuring everyone can recycle the same materials, no matter where they live.”
From March 2027, waste collectors will also be required to collect plastic film packaging and plastic bags alongside plastic recycling.
Junk food adverts banned before 9pm
A prohibition on junk food advertising will take effect from January.
Since October, youngsters have been subjected to fewer advertisements for unhealthy food on television and online as part of a voluntary crackdown by advertisers, ahead of the complete ban taking effect from the new year.
The ban will stop high fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) food and drink from appearing on television between 5.30am and 9pm, and online at any time. Outdoor advertising – including billboards, buses, bus shelters, train stations, shopping centres and taxis – remains exempt from the ban.
The restrictions cover products across 13 categories deemed most significant contributors to childhood obesity, such as soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams, as well as breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, main meals and sandwiches.
Items within these categories are then evaluated using a scoring tool to determine if they’re “less healthy” based on nutrient content and whether they’re high in saturated fat, salt or sugar. Only products meeting both criteria fall under the restrictions.
Firms are still permitted to promote healthier alternatives of banned products, which the government hopes will push the food industry towards reformulating their recipes.
Kids to be banned from buying high-caffeine drinks
The government has unveiled plans to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to anyone under 16. Officials said evidence demonstrates links between these drinks and harmful effects on children’s physical and mental wellbeing, sleep quality and educational performance.
About 100,000 youngsters drink at least one high-caffeine energy drink every day. When announcing the ban in September, the government stated the measure could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and generate health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.
The government is considering a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks, containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, to under-16s. The proposed law would apply to all retailers, including online stores, shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines, but wouldn’t impact lower-caffeine soft drinks, tea or coffee.
Public consultation on the proposal concluded on November 26. While the ban has yet to be legislated, if it progresses, it could be implemented as early as 2026.
Prison reforms are on the horizon
The proposed changes could limit the use of short-term imprisonment and expand community punishments to reduce the number of people being incarcerated.
The Sentencing Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, includes a proposal for an earned release scheme inspired by Texas. Under this scheme, inmates demonstrating good behaviour could be released earlier, while those breaking rules could face extended jail time.
For instance, prisoners might serve a minimum of a third of their term for good behaviour, but could receive up to three months additional jail time for violence or possession of prohibited items like mobile phones.
The proposed “earned progression model” will only be applicable to prisoners serving standard determinate sentences. The model won’t extend to dangerous offenders, and those serving extended determinate sentences or life sentences will continue to serve their current durations.
Upon release, offenders will face a new phase of “intensive supervision”, resulting in tens of thousands more offenders being tagged and a significant increase in home detentions.
There are also plans to replace prison sentences of a year or less with stricter community sentences. The government believes this approach will “better punish offenders and stop them reoffending”.
While these reforms have yet to become law, they’re anticipated to take effect next year.
Major changes in employment law bring new rights for workers
A host of new laws are on the horizon for UK workers following the Royal Assent of major legislation at the close of 2025. The government has stated that over 15 million people will benefit from new protections under the Employment Rights Act.
These measures will be introduced gradually over a two-year period, with changes expected in April and October.
From April, an increased number of workers will be able to take sick leave without pay concerns as the government is bolstering statutory sick pay. The lower earnings limit will be abolished along with the waiting period, meaning workers will be entitled to sick pay from their first day on the job.
In the same month, there will be changes for new parents, with workers gaining the right to paternity pay and unpaid parental leave from their first day on the job. Stronger redundancy rights are also anticipated in the spring.
From October, employers will be banned from using ‘fire and rehire’ and ‘fire and replace’ tactics. Dismissals due to refusal to agree to a change in certain core contractual terms will be deemed automatically unfair, except in specific special circumstances.
The government is also set to introduce changes to tighten tipping laws and combat sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers will also need to adhere to new rules regarding trade unions, including informing workers of their right to join one and introducing new protections for union representatives.
Further changes expected to be implemented in 2027 include new rights for pregnant workers, a new right to unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss, alterations to flexible working policies and the termination of zero-hour contracts.
Tax relief for those working from home is set to end
From April 6, individuals working from home will no longer be able to claim tax relief for their additional expenses. At present, certain employees can claim a deduction on their income tax for the extra household costs incurred while working from home, such as increased bills and business phone calls.
The claimable amount can either be based on actual expenditure, with proof, or at a fixed rate of £6 per week without needing receipts. However, employees whose costs are reimbursed by their employer are not eligible for this relief.
The Budget revealed that this tax relief would cease on April 6 2026.
The government estimated that about 300,000 people will be affected by the removal of this tax relief, resulting in a tax increase of around £62 for basic rate taxpayers and £124 for higher rate taxpayers.
In other news, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to receive new ‘modern fraud prevention powers’ that will enable debt collectors to directly withdraw money from bank accounts.
This legislation, which has now been passed through parliament, will allow the DWP to clamp down on fraudsters, recover overpayments, and safeguard taxpayers’ money, according to the government.
The new legislation means benefit fraudsters who have the means to repay but refuse could see money owed deducted directly from their bank accounts. The DWP will also be empowered to seek court orders suspending driving licences for claimants owing welfare debts exceeding £1,000 who have repeatedly ignored repayment demands.
Under these fresh powers, the DWP will obtain data from banks to help ensure benefit recipients are receiving correct payments and aren’t falling into debt or making fraudulent claims.
The government has made clear that no personal information will be shared by the DWP and the department will not have access to bank accounts for verifying eligibility for benefits or to see where people are spending their money.
Minister for transformation Andrew Western stated: “The powers granted through the Bill will allow us to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error, and enable the better recovery of debt owed to the taxpayer.”
The changes, due to be implemented from 2026, are projected to save taxpayers £1.5 billion by 2029/2030, according to the government.
Minimum wage to rise
Minimum wage will rise again in April 2026.
The National Living Wage, the minimum wage rate for all workers aged 21 and over, will rise by 4.1 per cent to £12.71 per hour. The minimum wage for people aged between 18 and 20 will increase to £10.85 and the rate for 16 and 17 year olds will increase to £8.00.
The government has announced the rate increase will deliver “a real-terms pay rise for low-paid workers” and represents a step forward in bringing the rate for 18 to 20 year olds in line with the National Living Wage.
From April 2026, the new rates will be:.
National Living Wage (21 and over): £12.71 per hour – up 50p.
Rate for age 18-20: £10.85 per hour – up 85p.
Rate for age 16-17: £8.00 per hour – up 45p.
Apprentice Rate: £8.00 per hour – up 45p.
Significant changes for renters coming this May
Major reforms are set to take effect for those renting homes in England. From May 1, new legislation will be introduced which the government claims will provide 11 million renters with “stronger rights, better protections and more security in their homes”.
Private tenants will no longer live with the threat of receiving a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notice. The government states this practice currently leaves thousands of tenants at risk of homelessness each year.
Landlords will retain the ability to reclaim their property for legitimate reasons – including selling the property, moving in themselves, or addressing rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
Fixed-term contracts are also being scrapped by the government. All private rental tenancies will transition to rolling arrangements on a month-to-month or week-to-week basis without a fixed end date.
Renters will also gain protection from excessive rent increases, with landlords restricted to raising rent just once annually. Tenants will have the right to dispute unreasonable above-market increases.
The days of bidding wars are numbered as landlords will be required to adhere to the advertised rental price when finalising a contract, and they’ll be prohibited from demanding more than one month’s rent in advance.
Landlords will also lose the right to unjustly deny a tenant’s request for a pet, and it will become unlawful to reject tenants on the grounds of having children or receiving benefits. The government plans to issue guidance for tenants ahead of these changes, which come into effect on May 1.
Further amendments are anticipated later in the year A new register of all landlords and rental properties in England is set to be introduced by the government, enabling tenants to verify their landlords’ identities. This online database will be gradually implemented by region starting from late 2026.
Additionally, a private landlord ombudsman will be established to assist renters in resolving complaints against landlords swiftly and fairly, without resorting to court proceedings.
Extension of Awaab’s Law
A law enacted following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in social housing in Rochdale, may be extended in 2026.
Awaab’s Law, which mandates social housing providers to rectify reported hazards within a specified timeframe and relocate tenants to safe accommodation if necessary, came into force in October 2025.
The government is now pushing to roll out Awaab’s Law across the private rental market, compelling landlords to act swiftly when properties become unsafe. Ministers will launch a consultation on these proposals in the coming months.
The new regulations for social housing stipulate that emergency health and safety hazards must be rectified within 24 hours of being flagged, whilst serious damp and mould issues require investigation within 10 working days of notification. Housing providers then have an additional five days to render properties safe.
Reselling tickets above face value set to be outlawed
Ministers have unveiled fresh legislation that will prohibit ticket touts from flogging tickets for more than their face value. The new regulations will “destroy the operating model of ticket touts” and slash the cost of resale tickets for enthusiasts of live entertainment, according to the government.
The forthcoming law will criminalise the resale of tickets to gigs, theatre productions, comedy shows, sporting fixtures and other live events for prices exceeding their original cost. This follows widespread fury from fans over touts bulk-buying tickets and hawking them at vastly inflated prices, pricing out genuine supporters from attending events.
Ministers claim the ban will cut resale ticket prices by an average of £37 for fans, collectively saving them £112 million annually. The new regulations aim not only to save fans money, but also to improve their access to initial ticket sales by preventing touts from using automated bots to snap up tickets in bulk.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated: “The UK is home to a brilliant range of music, entertainers and sporting stars – but when fans are shut out – it only benefits the touts. That’s why we’re taking these bold measures to smash their model to pieces and make sure more fans can enjoy their favourite stars at a fair price.”
The proposals must pass through Parliament before becoming law, but if approved, fans could see the changes implemented by 2026.
2027 and beyond….
Several new laws that have dominated discussions throughout 2025 are not scheduled to take effect until later.
From spring 2027, the UK will implement a prohibition on wet wipe sales as part of efforts to combat plastic pollution. The legislation bans the supply and sale of all wet wipes containing plastic.
Whilst the new law applies to England, the Welsh Government has already enacted similar legislation, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to follow suit.
Wet wipes containing plastic can fragment into microplastics that harm wildlife and contaminate the food chain. Plastic-free alternatives are widely available, and numerous retailers have already ceased selling plastic-containing wet wipes in anticipation of the incoming regulations.
Stricter anti-terror regulations will be implemented under Martyn’s Law, named in honour of 29-year-old Martyn Hett who tragically lost his life in the Manchester Arena bombing. The new legislation will mandate venues hosting 200 or more people to prepare for a potential terror attack.
Larger venues expecting 800 or more attendees must also implement measures such as CCTV surveillance, bag checks or vehicle inspections.
The law has successfully navigated its way through Parliament, receiving Royal assent in April 2025. However, enforcement of the new law won’t commence until 2027, allowing venues and enforcers sufficient time to prepare.
Meanwhile, legislation that could legalise assisted dying is currently progressing through Parliament, though it remains uncertain whether it will pass before the end of the parliamentary sessions. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would permit adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to request an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel comprising a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.
Currently at the Committee Stage in the House of Lords, supporters of the Bill are worried that critics may be attempting to delay proceedings. The MP spearheading the new law, Labour’s Kim Leadbeater, accused the Lords of time-wasting, with peers having tabled more than 1,000 amendments to the contentious legislation.
The Bill will only be enacted if both the House of Commons and House of Lords reach a consensus on the final drafting of the legislation. Approval would need to be secured before spring 2026 when the current session of Parliament concludes.
