The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its policy statement on section 106 delivery in England, incorporating frequently asked questions (FAQs) following the January 2026 announcement of emergency measures aimed at unlocking uncontracted affordable housing units. The update clarifies that the time-limited renegotiation process applies to all section 106 agreements, regardless of their age and can be varied either through section 106A applications or by mutual agreement with local planning authorities. Additionally, units previously listed on the Homes England Clearing Service do not require re-listing; however, their listings must be reviewed and updated. All units must undergo a six-week clearing period before they become eligible for renegotiation.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in conjunction with the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, has announced that local connection tests will no longer be applied to young care leavers under 25 and domestic abuse survivors in England. This regulatory update, part of the government’s ambitious five-step ‘Plan for Change’ to renew social and affordable housing, aims to remove barriers that have historically disadvantaged vulnerable groups seeking social housing. This policy shift forms part of the government’s broader housing strategy, which includes a £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme aimed at delivering approximately 300,000 new homes over the next decade, with a majority designated for social rent. Additionally, a £12m Council Housebuilding Skills and Capacity Programme has been introduced to strengthen local authority capabilities in delivering new housing.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its statutory guidance on appointing mayoral commissioners and setting and reporting allowances in combined authorities and combined county authorities in England. The guidance explains how mayors may appoint mayoral commissioners under new powers, including deputy mayors. It covers the scope of responsibilities for the role, as well as recruitment and scrutiny processes. It also sets out how authorities should pay allowances to members undertaking special responsibilities. Further guidance has been added on appointing police and crime commissioners (PCCs) as a public safety commissioner.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated its statutory guidance on social housing access for domestic abuse victims. The revision follows the introduction of The Allocation of Housing (Qualification Criteria for Victims of Domestic Abuse and Care Leavers) (England) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/706. The guidance aims to ensure local authorities give appropriate priority to care leavers and domestic abuse victims living in refuges or temporary accommodation when allocating social housing in England.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated both the Allocation of accommodation guidance and the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities. The update relates to the chapter on Eligibility for assistance. These changes clarify the scope of eligibility for social housing allocation and homelessness assistance under the emergency cohort and extends the list of relevant countries and applicable deadlines. This includes Jamaica, where applications must be made on or before 30 April 2026 following an HMG-arranged evacuation on 1 November 2025. It also includes a broader regional cohort—Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen—where applications must be made on or before 5 September 2026, following an evacuation operation that began on 6 March 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that the earlier decision by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, to postpone local elections for 30 councils scheduled for May 2026 has been withdrawn. In a letter to council leaders, the Secretary of State confirms that he has withdrawn the postponement following recent legal advice. He states that the housing minister, who was not involved in the original decision-making process, was invited to reconsider the matter on an urgent basis and has decided that the elections should proceed as planned in May 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, has written to all metro mayors, local authority leaders and housing industry stakeholders urging them to participate in the government's plan to build new homes.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has reached its second reading in Parliament. The Bill introduces reforms including a national scheme of delegation for planning decisions, establishment of a Nature Restoration Fund, strengthened compulsory purchase powers, and streamlined consultation processes for major infrastructure projects. It aims to deliver 1.5m homes and 150 major infrastructure project decisions within the current Parliament. The legislation includes provisions for a 'first ready, first connected' system for clean energy projects and offers affected residents up to £2,500 in energy bill reductions over ten years. The Bill also limits legal challenges to major infrastructure decisions to one attempt for cases deemed meritless.

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Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) CEO Dame June Raine outlined key regulatory developments during her 40-year tenure on 31 March 2025. She highlighted the implementation of AI tools reducing clinical trial assessment times from 3 hours to 35 seconds, the formation of the ACCESS consortium following EU Exit, and the agency's COVID-19 response including world-first Pfizer vaccine approval. Raine emphasised MHRA's focus on AI integration and personalised medicine regulation through new Centres of Excellence of Regulatory Science and Innovation.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has added data protection and privacy information guidance its Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) pilot guidance page. The information document sets out the approach to the IDAP the MHRA will take to handle information appropriately and comply with data protection legislation.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised healthcare organisations and distributors to stop using or supplying six medical devices without valid UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) or Conformité Européenne (CE) markings or certification. The devices should be quarantined because their quality, safety, sterility and performance cannot be fully assured. The MHRA has identified no specific defect, performance issue or safety concern. The affected products are used for blood collection and infusion, surgical and biopsy procedures, wound management and skin preparation. Compliant alternatives should be used, with existing stock retained pending further advice.