Major UK Law Changes Coming in 2026: Jobs, Travel Rules, Junk Food Adverts & Ticket Prices. Increased work rights, additional travel costs for vacations in Europe, and a prohibition on junk food advertising are all part of new legislation that will go into force in 2026.
The start of the new year brings with it a plethora of new laws from Westminster. There are several border procedures to be mindful of for people planning a vacation, and starting in late 2026, travel to Europe will cost £17.
With plans to forbid minors from buying high-caffeine drinks and a prohibition on fresh junk food advertisements scheduled to go into place, the government will continue to clamp down on unhealthy diets.
In addition to a hike in the minimum wage in the spring, a new set of regulations for businesses will provide workers with more rights and safeguards.
With the implementation of a ban on no-fault evictions and the end of fixed contracts and bidding wars, tenants in England will witness major changes. Wales has its own rental-related laws, but they are still in the early stages and are not expected to be implemented next year.
With the implementation of new powers that allow for automated debt collection, the UK government continues to crack down on benefit fraud. Subscribe to our daily newsletter here to be the first to read Wales’s top stories.
The Manchester Evening News says, “Here, we’ve outlined some of the significant changes Britons will encounter over the forthcoming months and how they might affect you.”
A £17 travel fee and new border procedures
In 2025, new rules for British citizens travelling to Europe were introduced, and more changes will be made the following year.
Non-EU nationals, including British nationals, must register at the EU border by scanning their passport and supplying their fingerprints and photo under the recently enacted Entry Exit System (EES). The EES is not necessary for travel to Ireland or Cyprus, but it is valid for visiting Schengen area nations including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Different ports will be putting these new regulations into effect until April 2026 as part of a six-month gradual roll-out that started in October. Travellers are not needed to do anything before their journey under this new method, and there is no expense involved.
However, it is expected that a new charge for visitors to EU nations would be implemented by the end of the following year. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to go live.
For any adult under 70, the cost will be 20 euros, or roughly £17.20. Registration is valid for a maximum of three years after payment.
The ETIAS will require travellers to apply online in advance of their trip, unlike the EES.
New rules will also apply to foreign nationals entering the UK.
Visitors from 85 countries, including the US, Canada, and France, who do not need a visa will no longer be able to enter the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as of February 25.
Over the past few years, the ETA program has been introduced gradually; nevertheless, it will be fully enforced starting in February. This implies that anyone who wants to enter the UK needs to get digital approval using an eVisa or an ETA.
Before they leave on their trip, passengers will be checked by transport providers.
According to the government, the move “paves the way for a contactless UK border in the future” and represents a “significant step towards digitising the immigration system”.
More than 13.3 million travellers have successfully applied since the ETA was introduced in October 2023. The ETA is now “a fundamental part of travel, including for visitors who take connecting flights and go through UK passport control,” according to the ministry.
For £16, travellers can use the official UK ETA app to make an ETA application. The government claims that the majority of applicants presently obtain an automatic decision in a matter of minutes, but it suggests allowing three working days in the event that an application needs additional evaluation.
Citizens of Britain and Ireland, including dual nationals, are exempt from the need for an ETA.
Before 9 p.m., junk food advertisements are forbidden.
Advertising for unhealthy food will be prohibited starting in January.
As part of a voluntary crackdown by advertisers, children have seen fewer commercials for unhealthy foods on television and the internet since October, before the full prohibition goes into place in the new year.
The ban will prevent high-fat, high-sugar, or high-salt (HFSS) food and beverages from being shown online or on television between 5.30 a.m. and 9 p.m. The prohibition does not apply to outdoor advertising on billboards, buses, bus shelters, rail stations, retail establishments, or taxis.
goods in 13 categories—including soft drinks, chocolates and candies, pizzas and ice creams, breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread goods, major meals, and sandwiches—that are thought to have the biggest impact on kid obesity are covered by the limitations.
Products that fit into these categories will be further examined to see if they meet the criteria for being labelled as “less healthy” using an evaluation system that looks at nutrient content and identifies goods that are rich in sugar, salt, or saturated fat. The advertising restrictions only apply to products that satisfy both requirements.
Businesses are still allowed to advertise healthier substitutes for products that are prohibited; the government says this will encourage the food industry to rework its formulas.
It will be illegal for kids to purchase high-caffeine beverages.
Proposals have been made by the UK government to forbid the sale of energy drinks with high caffeine content to anyone younger than 16. According to officials, there is proof linking these beverages to negative impacts on kids’ academic performance, sleep patterns, and physical and mental health.
In Wales, the prohibition will not take effect immediately unless the Welsh Government chooses to enact a similar measure. In England, the restriction would be implemented by secondary legislation utilising the Food Safety Act 1990. A similar restriction in Wales has already been the subject of consultation by the Welsh Government.
An estimated 100,000 youths use at least one high-caffeine energy drink per day, according to statistics. In September, the government announced the planned ban, claiming it may prevent up to 40,000 children from becoming obese and provide tens of millions of pounds in health benefits.
According to the government’s proposal, all retail establishments—including internet retailers, stores, cafes, restaurants, and vending machines—will be prohibited from selling high-caffeine energy drinks with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre to anyone under the age of sixteen. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks with less caffeine would not be affected by the proposed prohibition.
The plan was subject to a public consultation until November 26. Although the prohibition is not yet law, it might be put into effect as early as 2026 if the idea is approved.
Shorter sentences could result from prison changes.
To solve the prison capacity issue, the administration plans to implement major reforms.
To cut down on incarceration, the ideas might increase community sanctions and restrict the use of short-term jail.
Proposals for an earned release program akin to Texas are included in the Sentencing Bill that is presently making its way through Parliament. Under this plan, prisoners who behave well could be released sooner, while those who break the rules could spend more time behind bars.
For example, inmates who behave well may spend at least one-third of their sentence; however, violent behaviour or the possession of forbidden objects, such cell phones, may result in an extra three months in prison.
This “earned progression model” will only be applicable to inmates serving regular, fixed-term sentences. Dangerous offenders would not fit the model.
People receiving life sentences or prolonged determinate sentences will continue to serve the same amount of time in prison as they currently do.
Tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged and many more will be placed under home detention during the new “intensive supervision” phase that follows release.
Additionally, proposals can substitute harsher community-based penalties for prison terms of one year or less. “Better punish offenders and stop them reoffending” is how the government described this.
Although not yet enacted into law, the revisions are anticipated to take effect the following year.
New privileges for employees with significant employment
After significant legislation was granted Royal Assent at the end of 2025, a number of new rules will be implemented for workers in the United Kingdom. According to the government, more than 15 million people will get additional safeguards as a result of the Employment Rights Act.
Changes are anticipated in April and October as the measures are implemented in phases over a two-year period.
The government is enhancing statutory sick pay, so starting in April, more employees will be able to take time off without worrying about getting paid. Employees will be entitled to sick pay from the moment they start working because the lower earnings cap and waiting period will be eliminated.
Changes for new parents will take effect in the same month, giving workers the right to unpaid parental leave and paternity pay starting on their first day of employment. In the spring, stronger redundancy rights are also expected to be implemented.
‘Fire and replace’ and ‘fire and rehire’ strategies will be illegal for businesses starting in October. Except in very extraordinary situations, dismissals for refusing to accept modifications to fundamental contractual provisions will be automatically regarded as unfair.
Additionally, the government will implement changes to strengthen tipping laws and prevent workplace sexual harassment. Additionally, employers will have to comply with new regulations pertaining to trade unions, such as educating employees about their right to join one and establishing new safeguards for union officials.
New rights for pregnant employees, a new entitlement to unpaid bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss, modifications to flexible working practices, and the abolition of zero-hour contracts are among the other changes anticipated to be implemented in 2027.
Home workers’ tax breaks will be tapered off.
People who work from home will no longer be allowed to claim tax relief for their extra expenses as of April 6. Currently, some workers are able to deduct additional household expenses—like higher bills and business phone calls—from their income taxes when they work from home.
The claimable amount can be set at a preset rate of £6 per week without the requirement for receipts, or it can be based on actual expenditure with supporting documentation. This relief is not available to workers whose employers cover their expenses.
According to the Budget, this tax break will end on April 6, 2026.
According to the government, the withdrawal of this tax relief would impact almost 300,000 people, meaning that basic rate taxpayers will see a tax rise of about £62 and higher rate taxpayers will see a tax increase of about £124.
Recovering funds from scammers
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will soon have the authority to take money straight out of the bank accounts of scammers.
New “modern fraud prevention powers” will be granted to the DWP, allowing debt collectors to take money straight out of bank accounts.
The government claims that the legislation that has now been approved by parliament will enable the DWP to crack down on scammers, recoup overpayments, and protect taxpayer funds.
Benefit fraudsters who have the capacity to repay but choose not to do so will be able to have their money taken directly from their bank accounts by authorities thanks to the new law. Furthermore, the DWP will have the authority to ask courts to suspend driving licenses for claimants who have ignored multiple repayment deadlines and owing benefit debts surpassing £1,000.
With the use of these expanded powers, the DWP will be able to access financial information to confirm that beneficiaries are getting the right amounts while preventing fraud or debt accumulation.
The government has made it clear that the DWP will not exchange any personal information or be granted access to bank accounts in order to verify benefit eligibility or keep tabs on spending patterns.
“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,” stated Transformation Minister Andrew Western.
According to government estimates, these changes, which are scheduled to go into force in 2026, will save taxpayers £1.5 billion by 2029–2030.
The minimum wage will rise.
In April 2026, there will be another increase in the minimum wage.
The National Living Wage will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour, which will apply to all workers who are 21 years of age or older. The minimum wage will increase to £10.85 for individuals between the ages of 18 and 20, and to £8.00 for those between the ages of 16 and 17.
The hike, according to the government, will ensure “a real-terms pay rise for low-paid workers” and is a step in the right direction towards aligning the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds with the National Living Wage.
As of April 2026, the revised rates will be:
- For those aged 21 and up, the National Living Wage is £12.71 per hour, up 50p.
- The hourly rate for those aged 18 to 20 is £10.85, up 85p.
- Rate for 16–17-year-olds: £8.00 per hour, plus 45p.
- Rate for Apprentices: £8.00 per hour, up 45p.
It will be illegal to resell tickets for more than face value.
New laws that forbid ticket touts from charging more than the original price have been announced by the government. Authorities claim that these new policies will “destroy the operating model of ticket touts” and drastically lower prices for fans going to live concerts.
Reselling tickets to live events such as sporting events, comedy performances, concerts, and theatre productions for more than their original price will be illegal under the new regulation. This comes after supporters became incensed about ticket touts buying up tickets in bulk and reselling them at exorbitant prices, which prevented true fans from attending events.
According to government estimates, banning this practice will save fans an average of £37 on resale ticket prices, saving them £112 million a year. Officials anticipate that by prohibiting touts from using automated methods to purchase large amounts of tickets, the new laws will not only save fans’ wallets but also increase their chances of obtaining tickets during initial sales.
Peter Kyle, Business Secretary, said, “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.”
Before becoming law, the measures must pass Parliament, but if they are accepted, supporters may see the reforms take effect by 2026.
2027 and beyond.
Throughout 2025, a number of other pieces of legislation have generated a lot of discussion, but they won’t be put into effect until much later.
In an attempt to address plastic pollution, Britain will impose a ban on wet wipe sales in the spring of 2027. Distribution and retail sales of any wet wipes made of plastic are forbidden by this legislation.
Although the new law only applies to England, the Welsh government has already passed similar laws, and it is expected that the governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow suit.
Wet wipes made of plastic can break down into microplastics that damage wildlife and contaminate food sources. Since many businesses have already stopped carrying plastic-containing wet wipes before these new rules go into effect, plastic-free alternatives are easily available.
Martyn’s Law, named in memory of 29-year-old Martyn Hett who tragically died in the Manchester Arena bombing, will enact stricter anti-terrorism measures. Venues with 200 or more people must have a terror attack contingency plan in place, according to the new law.
Measures like CCTV surveillance, bag checks, and vehicle inspections will also need to be implemented at larger venues with a capacity of 800 or more.
In April 2025, the statute was given royal approval after passing through Parliament. Nevertheless, the new regulation won’t be enforced until 2027, giving venues and law enforcement enough time to get ready.
Although it is still unclear if it will be approved by the end of the current legislative session, legislation that would legalise assisted dying is presently making its way through Parliament. According to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, adults in England and Wales who have less than six months to live may request an assisted death, provided that two doctors and a panel made up of a psychiatrist, social worker, and senior legal official approve the request.
Supporters of the Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords’ Committee Stage, worry that opponents might be trying to stall the process. Kim Leadbeater, a Labour MP who is supporting the new law, accused the Lords of putting it off, pointing out that peers had put forth more than 1,000 revisions to the controversial legislation.
Only if the House of Commons and the House of Lords agree on the final version of the bill will it become law. Before the present Parliamentary session finishes in the spring of 2026, approval would be required.