The Cabinet Office has announced that the UK and the EU have reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement citizens’ rights under the UK and EU Withdrawal Agreement following a meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights on 18 December 2025. The meeting reviewed implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement and discussed ongoing issues affecting EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in EU member states. The co-chairs welcomed recent legislation clarifying the status of certain EU citizens under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and emphasised the importance of a timely transition to permanent residence. The UK raised concerns about residence documentation for UK nationals in the EU and the quality of data in reporting, while the EU highlighted delays in EUSS processing and issues relating to late applications. The co-chairs agreed to reconvene in spring 2026.

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note is archived and is no longer maintained. This chronological timeline sets out all UK and EU developments in relation to the regulation of crowdfunding. The timeline also addresses different types of crowdfunding and the diverging approaches taken by UK and EU regulatory authorities, legislators and industry bodies in relation to crowdfunding. Crowdfunding (sometimes called ‘crowdsourcing’ or ‘crowd financing’) works on the premise that persons seeking funding, such as entrepreneurs, showcase projects or companies on an internet platform and members of the public provide funding through the platform. There is no limit to the amount of individual contribution but, unlike more established methods of fundraising, many platforms permit participants to contribute as little as £10. Typically the entrepreneur will be required to specify a target amount and cut-off date, and will not receive funding unless this target is reached. There are three broad types of crowdfunding, each distinguishable by the return for the funder: • Investment model—individuals make investments in return for a share in the profits or revenue generated

Introduction and background On 1 November 2024, a new framework for securitisation came into force in the UK, revoking and replacing the onshored EU legislative regime (the new UK framework). While the new UK framework largely retains the substance of the previous onshored EU regime, there are significant policy changes. In divergence from the previous regime, rule-making powers are granted to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA). This Practice Note focuses on divergence between the new UK framework and the current EU regime in certain key areas including scope, the definition of institutional investors, risk retention, transparency, due diligence and STS designation. This Practice Note provides a high-level summary of these particular requirements only and does not constitute a definitive list of all current differences between the two regimes. As the new UK framework remains subject to ongoing reform and the EU regime is currently undergoing an extensive review, further changes to both regimes are expected going forward. For some practical implications resulting from the current level of divergence,

This Practice Note sets out the key legislative provisions which govern UK trade mark registrations. For reference, it also sets out the corresponding provisions of EU trade mark (EUTM) legislation, which applied prior to Brexit (and which continue to apply in the EU Member States), for comparison purposes. Framework The trade mark regime A ‘trade mark’ is a badge of origin that distinguishes the goods and services of one undertaking from those of another. For more information, see: Trade mark transactions and management—overview. A UK trade mark is registered at the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and once registered, affords protection across the UK. For more detailed information, see Practice Note: Application to register a UK trade mark. An EUTM registration is a single, unitary, trade mark covering all EU Member States. An EUTM is obtained by means of a single trade mark application filed at the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). For more detailed information, see: Trade marks (EU Law)—overview. As explained in the Brexit—comparable trade mark registrations section below, the UK’s decision to leave

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed a UK–France pilot scheme to manage irregular Channel crossings. The proposal would allow for reciprocal, lawful transfers of asylum seekers between the two countries, with those arriving irregularly in the UK returned to France and vice versa. UNHCR has urged implementation in line with international law to ensure protection, reduce dangerous journeys and uphold asylum rights.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS) have signed a joint statement on the safety and security of advanced artificial intelligence (AI). The statement follows the German government's approval of plans to establish an AI Safety and Security Institute (AISI). It commits DSIT and the UK AISI to engage with BMDS, Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior and the German AISI to strengthen institutional co-operation and support mutual development. Under the statement, both countries intend to share best practice on AI evaluation to improve their collective understanding of advanced AI systems, including the implications for cybersecurity. They also plan to align research priorities and build capability through exchanges of knowledge and expertise. The co-operation supports delivery of the Strategic Science and Technology Partnership, established under the UK–Germany Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation Treaty, signed in 2025.

The UK and India have signed a free trade deal on 24 July 2025 following three year of negotiations. On tariffs, the deal substantial reductions aimed at fostering trade across several key sectors. Indian tariffs on UK products are being slashed from 15% to 3%, making it easier for British companies in industries from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices to access the Indian market. Whisky producers will experience dramatic easing of tariffs—from 150% to 75% immediately, with further reductions to 40% over the next decade—thus giving them a competitive edge. In addition, the deal includes targeted cuts on sectors such as aerospace, where tariffs are reducing from 11% to 0%, as well as significant reductions for automotives (from up to 110% down to 10% under a quota) and electrical machinery (from up to 22% down to either 0% or a 50% reduction), all of which are anticipated to boost trade and create further economic opportunities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced that the UK will sign two sets of bilateral memoranda of understanding (MoUs)—one with Indonesia’s National Planning Agency (known as Bappenas) on development co-operation and another on strategic partnership on critical minerals with the Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources. This is due to take place during the UK Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, Anneliese Dodds', visit to Jakarta, Indonesia between 16–19 September 2024. These MoUs will set out ways of collaborating on Indonesia’s development objectives and on shared priorities such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UK government has announced that it has agreed to a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan to strengthen public-private partnerships in cyber between the UK and Japan. This partnership builds on the UK and Japan’s collaboration to enhance their values of democracy, rule of law and free and open trade following the signing of the Hiroshima Accord in May 2023.

The UK and the Republic of Mauritius have signed a bilateral treaty concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. The agreement recognises Mauritian sovereignty over the entire territory while allowing the UK—with authorised participation from the US—to operate a joint military base on Diego Garcia. During a related press conference held at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, emphasised the importance of securing the base for national defence, rapid military deployment, and intelligence gathering. He noted that the base provides access to strategic capabilities, including airfield operations, deep-water port facilities, facilities supporting global GPS operations, and equipment for monitoring the nuclear test ban treaty. The Prime Minister also stated that, without the agreement, legal challenges from Mauritius could have undermined the UK’s control over the base and reduced its strategic advantage. The treaty will remain in effect for 99 years.

The Home Office has published an agreement between the UK government and that of Moldova to facilitate the return of funds forfeited by the National Crime Agency (NCA) with regards to Luca Filat, the son of former Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat. As the UK is a signatory to the UN Convention on Corruption (UNCAC), it has committed to prevent and combat corruption. This commitment includes the returning of stolen funds to victim States defined under UNCAC definitions. In this case, the agreement involves a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the returning of funds forfeited by order of the magistrates’ court dated 14 November 2019 from Luca Filat. These funds (£456,068.38) are to be returned to Moldova in support of social assistance projects.

The British High Commission Nairobi has announced that a new partnership has been launched between the UK government’s programme MOBILIST and the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The partnership seeks to encourage the listing of new investment products in the Kenyan market and increase the private sector capital available for climate and development projects in Kenya. The announcement comes as His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Kenya, John Humphrey, visits Kenya, where he will focus on delivering the projects that support the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership.