The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation on the proposed uplift in compensation for charges paid by eligible energy intensive industries (EIIs) under the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90%. The consultation also seeks views on extending the application window from one to two months. The proposed changes, set to take effect in 2026, could reduce electricity costs for approximately 500 firms in key sectors such as steel, ceramics, glass and chemicals by up to £420m annually and help align the UK’s industrial energy prices with those of European competitors. This measure forms part of the government’s Industrial Strategy. The consultation closes on 15 August 2025.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE 2006) and abolishing the legal framework for European Works Councils. The amendments to TUPE 2006 would reaffirm that its protections only apply to employees and remove the obligation to split employees’ contracts between multiple employers where a business is transferred to more than one new business. Those wishing to respond to the consultation must do so by 11 July 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation on proposed regulatory changes and delivery arrangements for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), seeking views on how the scheme should be implemented across Great Britain. The scheme aims to reduce electricity costs for eligible manufacturing businesses in Industrial Strategy growth sectors and supporting industries by exempting them from the indirect costs of the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market. These exemptions are planned to take effect from April 2027 for the Renewables Obligation and Feed-in Tariffs and from October 2027 for the Capacity Market, alongside an additional Exchequer-funded payment at launch to reflect prior support. Eligibility is determined by sector classification and electricity intensity thresholds, with a site-based, banded pro-rating system applied according to the proportion of electricity used for eligible manufacturing activity.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to support the fair, transparent and responsible use of workplace monitoring technologies, in line with the commitments set out in the Plan to Make Work Pay. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30 September 2026.

The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) has published a policy paper outlining an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) arrangement between the UK and Taiwan, effective 30 June 2025. The arrangement establishes three initial focus areas: investment, digital trade, and renewable energy/net zero initiatives. DBT will serve as the UK's designated representative, working with Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations. The framework includes provisions for information sharing, intellectual property protection, and dispute resolution through consultation. The arrangement allows for additional cooperation pillars to be added by mutual agreement, with both parties retaining the right to terminate with 90 days' notice.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced a four-year extension to the UK-Switzerland Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) until 31 December 2029. The agreement permits UK professionals to travel to Switzerland and deliver services visa-free for up to 90 days per year without facing economic interests tests or work permit requirements during this period. Swiss professionals may provide services in the UK under contract through the service supplier visa for up to 12 months across key sectors including finance, consultancy, legal services, technology and creative industries. The extension provides certainty for businesses and service providers while negotiations continue for a permanent solution within the Free Trade Agreement framework. The announcement follows a previous extension announced in November 2022.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has extended the deadline for its consultation on proposals to improve the economic regulation of the water, energy and fixed telecoms sectors regulated by Ofwat, Ofgem and Ofcom. Responses can now be submitted until 11.59 pm on 28 January 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has extended the consultation period of its public consultation on reform of the operation of the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (CARs) . The consultation will now close at 11.55pm on 1 August 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has extended the effective period of the statutory Codes of Practice on Picketing and Industrial action ballots and notice to employers. The DBT published draft revised Codes of Practice on 9 January 2026 which were set to come into force on 18 February 2026. However, both draft codes are still in the process of being revised, and therefore the existing Codes of Practice will remain effective ‘until such time as any revisions come into force’.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has extended the steel safeguard measures on 15 product categories until 30 June 2026. This comes following an extension review of the steel safeguard measure in 2023 and the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation to extend the measures in April 2024. This decision is made on the basis that the UK industry would be seriously injured in all 15 product categories if the measure expired. The decision will come into effect from 1 July 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published a package of statutory instruments under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 to reform alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for consumer contract disputes, with the Secretary of State bringing into force a mandatory accreditation framework for ADR providers from that date. The measures commence Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the Act and replace the previous voluntary system with a regime intended to make dispute resolution outside the courts more accessible, consistent and reliable across the UK, while introducing transitional arrangements to maintain continuity for ongoing cases during implementation.

The Department for Business & Trade has published a notice imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on suspension poly (vinyl chloride) (S-PVC) from the United States of America. The measure, effective from 29 November 2024, follows the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation and supersedes the previous provisional duty. Applicable to specific commodity codes, the duty rates range from 38.43% to 56.01% for US exporters and will remain in force until 10 January 2030. Importers must present a valid commercial invoice with a declaration to qualify for specified exporter duty rates.