Private Client analysis: This considers implications of the changes to inheritance tax on agricultural property relief and business relief as set out in the consultation are considered. The consultation closes on 23 April 2025. Written by Rory Mullan and Christopher Vallis of Old Square Tax Chambers.

This consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce a new national default fee schedule for planning applications and a framework for local fee setting. The reforms aim to improve cost recovery, simplify the fee system and strengthen the resourcing and performance of local planning authorities.

The European Commission has launched a consultation on draft implementing rules that set out the format and harmonised specifications for labelling requirements under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries. The proposal clarifies how general and category-specific labelling information—such as carbon footprint performance classes, capacity details, presence of hazardous substances, and whether the battery is 'non-rechargeable'—must be displayed on batteries, packaging, or accompanying documents. It also specifies when QR codes may be used to provide digital access to mandatory information, establishes design and size criteria for labels, and sets a priority order for required markings where space is limited. The draft rules aim to ensure consistent implementation across the EU and support transparency, safety, and accessibility for end-users. The consultation closes on 12 January 2026.

Planning analysis: The government has published a consultation entitled ‘An accelerated planning system’, seeking views on: a new accelerated planning service for major commercial applications, changes to how extensions of time are treated, the expansion of the simplified written representations appeals procedure, and implementation of the route for section 73B applications to vary existing planning permissions.

Planning analysis: The government has published a consultation seeking views on strengthening national planning policy for brownfield development. It sets out proposals to amend the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to: encourage local planning authorities (LPAs) to give ‘significant weight’ to the benefits of delivering as many homes as possible and be flexible in applying policies or guidance on the internal layout of developments, especially for proposals on brownfield land; apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development in respect of previously developed land for the 20 towns and cities subject to the urban uplift, where their Housing Delivery Test score falls to 95% or below; and review the threshold for referral of applications to the Mayor of London.

Planning analysis: The government has responded to its consultation on operational reforms to the nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) consenting process, committing to make it ‘better, faster, greener, fairer and more resilient by 2025’. Plans include: establishing a new fast-track process for applications that meet the quality standard, strengthening the role of the pre-application stage and enabling faster and more flexible examinations.

HM Treasury and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have published responses to its consultation on business rates avoidance and evasion

The Employment consultation tracker tool displays the current status and most recent developments in relation to consultations, calls for evidence and inquiries (collectively referred to here as 'consultations') being conducted by the UK government (and other bodies) that have an impact on employment law. The tracker is split into three parts: • Open consultations • Closed consultations—responses being analysed, and • Closed consultations—summary of responses published For details of consultations issued relating to the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025), see: Employment Rights Act 2025—tracker—Consultations issued relating to the ERA 2025. For employment consultations, calls for evidence and inquiries that closed and in respect of which a response document was published between 2016 and 2024, see: Archived—Consultation tracker—Employment. The consultations in Archived—Consultation tracker—Employment are listed by topic. Information on consultations relating to new and draft legislation can also be found in our Legislation tracker—Employment. For a summary of the key legal developments that are expected to impact employment lawyers during the course of this year and beyond see Employment—horizon scanner. Open consultations This first part of the consultation

This Lexis+® UK Pensions consultation tracker tool displays key consultations (both formal and informal) conducted in the last 12 months by HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Pensions Regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other pensions bodies. This tracker is split into three parts: • Open consultations • Closed consultations—responses being analysed, and • Closed consultations—summary of responses published Open consultations This first part of the consultation tracker shows all consultations that are currently 'open'—ie that it is still possible to comment on. The table is displayed in reverse chronological order by reference to the date that the consultations are due to close. It therefore means that older consultations tend to appear towards the bottom of the list. Where possible, we have added links to prior consultations that have either directly led to the consultation in question or are indirectly relevant to it. Consultation Subject Further information Home Office consultation: Police Pension Scheme 2015: Regulation 36Consultation period: 20 August 2026 to 17 September 2026 On 20 August

A consultation has been launched on improving the effectiveness of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (the ‘MLRs’)

Any consultation exercise carried out by a public authority in relation to a proposed decision must be conducted at a time when proposals are at a sufficiently formative stage, with adequate information, and time to allow a proper and informed response, leading to an open-minded consideration of responses. The legal requirements of consultation, first laid down in R v Brent London Borough Council ex parte Gunning, were approved by the Supreme Court in the context of a statutory requirement on a local authority to consult in Moseley. How and when does the duty to consult arise? There is no general duty for public authorities to consult those affected by their decisions; but a duty to consult may be imposed by statute, or may arise in public law either because of the duty to act fairly, or as a result of a legitimate expectation. The mere use of the word consultation cannot create a duty to consult, as whether an engagement attracts legal obligations is a question of substance, not form (R (Eveleigh) v Secretary

Planning analysis: The government and the Mayor of London have launched parallel consultations aimed at boosting housing delivery in the capital. The government proposes temporary borough-level CIL relief and changes to the Mayor’s call-in powers, while the GLA’s draft London Plan Guidance introduces time-limited flexibilities on cycle parking, housing design standards and a new fast-track planning route for affordable housing.