theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
Environment Agency charges proposal: water industry enforcement levy
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-19)

We want your views on our proposed new levy on certain water discharge activities carried out by water companies, designed to fully recover the costs of our enforcement activities.

Under managing public money guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-public-money), we have a responsibility to recover the costs of our regulatory activity by setting charges for the work we do at the appropriate level. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/5/contents/enacted) allows us to recover all costs directly from water companies when carrying out water industry enforcement functions.

This consultation proposes a new levy on certain water discharge activities carried out by water companies.

In line with our enforcement and sanctions policy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy), we want to:
- stop illegal activity from occurring or continuing
- put right environmental harm or damage, also known as restoration or remediation
- bring illegal activity under regulatory control, and into compliance with the law
- punish offenders and deter them (and others) from offending in the future
We would like to know if you agree with our proposals and welcome your feedback, as it helps us to understand the impact of our proposals and make an informed decision.
Wales Office
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-14)

The home of Wales Office on GOV.UK. The Wales Office supports the Welsh Secretary and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Wales within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Welsh interests are represented at the heart of the UK government and the UK government’s responsibilities are represented in Wales.

The Wales Office supports the Welsh Secretary and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in promoting the best interests of Wales within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Welsh interests are represented at the heart of the UK government and the UK government’s responsibilities are represented in Wales.
Thousands of British troops to lead major NATO exercise in Eastern Europe
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-03)

Thousands of UK personnel will continue to deploy to Europe in the next two months to spearhead a major NATO exercise.

UK leading contribution with over 2600 personnel and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO’s eastern flank.

First deployment under new NATO Allied Reaction Force.

Deployment demonstrates UK’s unshakeable commitment to NATO and European Security.

Thousands of UK personnel will continue to deploy to Europe in the next two months to spearhead a major NATO exercise.

Leading from the front, the UK is providing the largest contribution of forces with over 2600 personnel, and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO’s eastern flank.

Throughout January and February 2025, NATO will conduct Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can rapidly reinforce NATO’s eastern flank. These important exercises will showcase the Alliance’s readiness, capability, and commitment to defend every inch of NATO territory.

The UK’s 1st Division will be in command of all of NATO’s land forces in the exercise, continuing Britain’s proud tradition of leadership in NATO and demonstrating this government’s unshakeable commitment to the Alliance.

The exercises will see the UK Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from ten NATO Allies, operating across Romania and Bulgaria coinciding with the anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said:

This Government wants the UK to be NATO’s leading European nation.

Exercise Steadfast Dart demonstrates our unshakeable commitment to NATO and highlights the UK key leadership role in the Alliance.

As we approach the three-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we must continue to strengthen our collective defences together to deter Putin effectively.

Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority, and an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting all of the Government’s five missions in its plan.

This exercise will help to improve co-ordination and cooperation between NATO Allies, particularly in the early phases of deployment. The ability of NATO to rapidly deploy is reliant on nations being able to seamlessly operate alongside each other.

Having a high-readiness forces that can operate across land, air, and sea to respond to emerging threats is a critical component of NATO’s defensive plans. The new Allied Reaction Force will not only support the Alliance’s defence in times of crisis but strengthen deterrence against our adversaries – including Russia. It will ensure that forces from across the NATO alliance can come together at shorter notice that has ever been possible before.

730 vehicles including Foxhound and Jackals will deploy by road, air, and sea to Eastern Europe where they will conduct two exercises before returning to the UK at the end of February.
16 to 18 English and maths progress measure qualifications
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-13)

A list of qualifications included in the English and maths progress measures for 16 to 18 performance tables.

This information is for:
- awarding organisations
- schools
- colleges
The English and maths progress measures show achievements by students who did not achieve 9 to 4 in these subjects at the end of key stage 4.

You can also read 16 to 19 accountability headline measures (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-accountability-headline-measures-technical-guide).
Assessment of priority skills to 2030
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-05)

A report on the future employment demand across 10 key sectors and the education pathways for the priority occupations in these sectors.

This initial assessment provides information to help prioritise where training can most effectively support employment in jobs delivering on government and industry priorities.

It brings together sector-specific estimates to support policymaking on skills training.
X v Y: 2402247/2023
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-11)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in X v Y: 2402247/2023 - Judgment with Reasons (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6569f9b1946226049cc567df/X_v_Y_2402247_2023_.pdf).

Read the full decision in X v Y: 2402247/2023 - Strike Out (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689481463080e72710b2e214/X_v_Y_-_2402247_2023_-_Judgment.pdf).
Sexually transmitted infections: Yorkshire and Humber data
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-13)

Reports presenting data since 2020 for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

These reports summarise the annual data for STIs in Yorkshire and Humber.

Previous reports and resources were published by Public Health England (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20200724065918/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sexually-transmitted-infections-yorkshire-and-humber-data).
Agilisys Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Agilisys Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Agilisys Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
We also pledge the following:

-Continue to actively seek candidates with previous armed forces experience, for example, working in partnership with AWS re/start -seeking to support the employment of veterans young and old and working with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Ms Saini v Healthcare Homes Group Ltd and others: 3311247/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-18)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Ms Saini v Healthcare Homes Group Ltd and others: 3311247/2024 - Judgment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68cacc255e09a4a59af0c00d/Ms_Saini_v__1__Healthcare_Homes_Group_Limited_and_others_3311247_2024_PPH_Judgment.pdf).
MHRA Corporate Plan: 2023 to 2026 and Business Plan: 2025 to 2026
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-25)

These reports outline the MHRA’s Corporate and Business Plans, detailing the agency's strategic direction over the next three years.

Focusing on keeping patients safe and enabling access to high quality, safe and effective medical products. Contents include the priority actions and activities which the agency will take forward to ensure delivery of the statutory role and functions of the agency.
Stewart Ramsay (Fire Protection) Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Stewart Ramsay (Fire Protection) Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Stewart Ramsay (Fire Protection) Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Marks Electrical: consumer protection enforcement case
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-18)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer law in relation to the addition of optional charges by Marks Electrical Limited (‘Marks Electrical’) in the UK.

Case timetable

Case opening

17 November 2025: The CMA has opened an investigation into Marks Electrical’s compliance with consumer protection law.

The CMA is investigating whether Marks Electrical’s customers are being automatically opted in to purchasing additional services.

The CMA will now engage with Marks Electrical and gather evidence to consider whether the CMA thinks Marks Electrical has infringed consumer protection law.

At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Marks Electrical has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.
- Press release: CMA launches major consumer protection drive focused on online pricing practices (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-major-consumer-protection-drive-focused-on-online-pricing-practices) (18.11.25)
Contact
- xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- Cecilia Parker Aranha, Director
- Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information

Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 8 the Enterprise Act 2002. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see our Personal Information Charter (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority/about/personal-information-charter).
AAIB investigation to DJI Ultralight Mini 2, (UAS registration n/a)
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-08)

Pilot distracted resulting in injury to uninvolved person, Victoria Embankment, Nottinghamshire, 18 August 2024

The UA was being flown near the Nottingham carnival and during the flight the UA was commanded to land by a minor who accompanied the remote pilot. At the time the remote pilot was distracted by talking to another person and as the UA approached the ground it struck an uninvolved minor who was sitting atop someone’s shoulders. The uninvolved minor suffered a cut to the forehead. The police attended the scene and the UA was confiscated. The UA did not display an Operator ID and was being flown over crowds of uninvolved people.

Despite AAIB enquiries it was not possible to understand what, if any, risk assessment had been carried out by the remote pilot, the purpose of the flight or why the UA was being flown over crowds of uninvolved people.

Download report:

DJI Ultralight Mini 2, (UAS Registration n/a) 05-25 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b235ce26cd2f713d86fc8/DJI_Ultralight_Mini_2_UAS_Registration_n_a_05-25.pdf)

Download glossary of abbreviations:

Glossary of abbreviations (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b22d9386c17c856f1736f/Abbreviations.pdf)
ECSH34020 - What if you're unable to check the business' compliance with MLR 2017
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-07)


Introduction

During your initial case review (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/economic-crime-supervision-handbook/ecsh32700) with the business, there may be scenarios where you are unable to check the business’s compliance with The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017). For example, you may be unable to trace the business and consider it is “missing”, or you establish that a business has registered in error and is not a “relevant person (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/economic-crime-supervision-handbook/ecsh160000)”.

For compliance, you must not give a “compliant” outcome, such as a closure letter or advice letter, where you have been unable to test the business’s compliance with MLR 2017. Please discuss the circumstances of your case with your line manager, and where necessary the sector specialist, to decide the most appropriate outcome.

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)
Flat 9 Aynhoe Mansions, Aynhoe Road, London W14 0QB: LON/00AN/F77/2024/0695
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-25)

Residential Property Tribunal Decision of Mr R Waterhouse BSc (Hons) MA LLM FRICS and Mr C Piarroux JP on 13 February 2025

Read the full decision in A 250213 Decision Template F77 Flat 9 Aynhoe Mansions (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67af457ae270ceae39f9e21c/A_250213_Decision_Template_F77_Flat_9_Aynhoe_Mansions.pdf). Read the full decision in A 250213 FULL REASONS F77 Flat 9 Aynhoe Mansions with CTC (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67af45a963d7f4cceef9e206/A_250213__FULL_REASONS_F77_Flat_9_Aynhoe_Mansions_with_CTC.pdf).
CH223100 - How to do a compliance check: information powers: taxpayer notice: when a taxpayer notice should be issued
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-05)


This page and chapter are under review as the relevant content is also published in the technical guidance chapters of the Compliance Handbook (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/compliance-handbook), within Compliance checks factsheets (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hm-revenue-and-customs-compliance-checks-factsheets) and in Compliance checks guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmrc-compliance-checks-help-and-support). If you use particular pages regularly, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to let us know the specific content you find useful.

Most requests for information or documents will be informal. These may be made in writing, over the telephone or during a visit.

You should normally only consider using an information notice when the person has not responded to an informal request for information or documents.

However, sometimes it is not appropriate to ask the person to supply the information voluntarily, for example:
- they have a history of non-compliance and you have reason to believe that information will not be provided if requested informally
- an informal request is likely to cause an unacceptable delay
- pre-approval of a taxpayer notice is appropriate, see CH223400 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/compliance-handbook/ch223400)
- an investigation into a tax avoidance scheme would benefit from the early use of formal powers
This list is not exhaustive, and some cases may fall outside these specific characteristics and still require the use of these powers.
CareerForces Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We CareerForces Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 CareerForces Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- Armed Forces Day
- Discounts
We also pledge the following:

-Working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), in order to establish a tailored employment pathway for Service Leavers; Career Forces Ltd are registered with and work with the CTP

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Hannah Nixon
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-14)

Hannah was appointed as Chair of the SSRO on 3 January 2022. She is also Chair of the Retail Energy Code Company and holds non-executive director positions at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Worldpay UK and the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO). Hannah has widespread experience in economics and regulation across a range of industries. She was the first CEO of the Payment Systems Regulator, the economic regulator of the UK’s £80 trillion payments industry, responsible for driving competition and innovation in the interests of consumers. Hannah was also a senior partner at Ofgem, where she had responsibility for the networks division and a non-executive director at the Jersey and Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authorities.

Hannah was appointed as Chair of the SSRO on 3 January 2022.

She is also Chair of the Retail Energy Code Company and holds non-executive director positions at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Worldpay UK and the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO).

Hannah has widespread experience in economics and regulation across a range of industries. She was the first CEO of the Payment Systems Regulator, the economic regulator of the UK’s £80 trillion payments industry, responsible for driving competition and innovation in the interests of consumers. Hannah was also a senior partner at Ofgem, where she had responsibility for the networks division and a non-executive director at the Jersey and Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authorities.
Gran Reserva (Argentina)
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-02)

Traditional term for wine

Summary

In addition to the raw material requirements for Reserva wines, in the winemaking process of Gran Reserva wines, no less than one hundred and forty kilograms (140 kg) of grapes shall be used as per one hundred litres (100 l.) of wine. Red Gran Reserva wines shall have a minimum ageing period of eighteen (18) months as of the moment they are oenologically stable, whereas for white and rosé Gran Reserva wines, the ageing period shall be no less than twelve (12) months. In the case of blends made from wines of different production years, each of the wines shall have complied with the minimum ageing time periods set forth above.

Application for protection of a traditional term - Gran Reserva

Application for protection of a traditional term - Gran Reserva (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6633416d7d1f0e84aff0cccd/Traditional_terms_GRAN_RESERVA-application-pn18_tmp__002_.pdf)

Decision Notice

Gran Reserva Decision Notice (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/686260f91c735341c2111ac3/Gran_Reserva_Decision_Notice.docx)
VRDP29400 - Motor vehicles [items 2(f) and 2A]: what does ‘substantially and permanently adapted’ mean under Item 2A for a vehicle adapted for a disabled person who is normally a wheelchair user?
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-14)


Item 2A is more generous than Item 2(f). Item 2A does not require the disabled person to remain in the wheelchair or stretcher whilst the vehicle is in motion.

In the case of Quentin Hylands (18560), the Tribunal considered whether the motor vehicle supplied to the Appellant was ‘substantially and permanently adapted’.

The Commissioners’ had declined relief from import VAT charged on a motor home for the appellant's father, “on the ground that the ramp was too steep, that it was not considered to be permanent and not considered to be substantial and also unfit for the purpose intended”.

The Tribunal Chairman agreed with the appellant’s contention:

“The evidence showed clearly that it consisted of a large piece of equipment, the ramps, which were capable of being put in place with reasonable ease to allow the wheel-chair to be pushed up into the vehicle, and of being dismantled and stowed conveniently and tidily within the vehicle. There was also a mounting on the floor of the vehicle to take the wheels of the wheel-chair, which were then clamped in position when the vehicle was moving. This mounting was either bolted or welded to the floor. It appeared to us that the adaptations were certainly capable of being used for so long as the Appellant’s father would require them.It seems clear to us that without the ramp the Appellant’s father would be unable to enter the Rambler, and without the floor mounting for the wheelchair he would be unable safely to be transported in it. That alone is enough to satisfy the definition of substantial in Notice 701/59.

The case of Bunning (T/A Stafford Land Rover (FTT, 2012) supports the findings in the Quentin Hylands case. Here, the appellant fitted a steering wheel spinner and wheelchair ramps to one vehicle and sold another with adaptations which included brackets for transportation of a mobility scooter. The Tribunal held that both adapted vehicles qualified for the relief as they met the objective tests under the legislation.

In the case of Croall Bryson & Company (FTT, 2011), the Tribunal held that the installation of hand controls and steering balls could be considered substantial and permanent even if they were fitted quickly and could be removed with a spanner, provided they met the disabled person’s needs for entering and driving the vehicle. Therefore, adaptations need not be time-consuming or complex, but must be usable for as long as needed by the disabled person.
Changes to the Valuation Office Agency
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-01)

An update for our customers.

The government has announced that the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be brought into our parent department HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by April 2026.

If you are currently a customer with us, you do not need to take any action. There is no impact on your case or the services we offer. Please continue to contact us (https://www.gov.uk/contact-voa) and submit cases in the usual way.

There are also no changes for commercial clients working with our District Valuer Services team.

We are working with HMRC to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for our customers and clients.
Insolvency Service Chief Executive announces plan to move on to new position
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-14)

Chief Executive will take on new job in May

- Dean Beale has been Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service since 2019
- He will move on to a new position outside the Civil Service in May
The Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service, Dean Beale, has announced his plan to leave the agency.

Dean has worked in the insolvency sector for more than 30 years in a variety of roles and has been Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service since 2019.

He will leave the agency in May to take up a position as Executive Director of the Centre for Public Interest Audit, a standalone body set up by the audit and accounting sector to support audit standards for the biggest UK companies.

He said:

I have had some wonderful years at the Insolvency Service, it is a great organisation with dedicated and professional staff who care passionately about the work they do. I have felt immensely privileged and proud to lead this historic organisation which does some incredible work to support people in financial distress, tackle financial wrongdoing and maintain the UK’s world class insolvency regime.

Before becoming Chief Executive of the Insolvency Service, Dean was Director of Strategy and Change at the agency, overseeing policy development, regulation of the insolvency sector and the department’s transformation programme.

In addition to his public sector experience, Dean also spent time in the private sector as a forensic accountant investigating fraud and managing commercial disputes.

An open recruitment process will now be put in place to find his replacement.
The UN Charter remains one of our greatest accomplishments: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-26)

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.

Eighty years ago today, fifty nations gathered in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter.

In doing so, they proved that rights could triumph over force; that hope could triumph over despair.

The United Kingdom is proud to have helped shape that vision.

Eighty years on, “we the people” are an international community of 193 Member States; of 8.2 billion people around the world; from megacities to rural plains, from rainforests to deserts, from islands to landlocked nations.

Together, the Charter remains one of our greatest accomplishments.

Let it unite us now, as it did then, in the pursuit of peace, security, development and human rights.

In pursuit of the Charter’s enduring principles of sovereign equality, peaceful dispute resolution and the dignity and rights of all people.

We look to the UN as the touchstone of those rights and hopes.

But today, we see war and conflict stalling the progress that perhaps once felt inevitable.

But progress is not inevitable. It takes resolve. It takes hard work. It takes negotiation and compromise.

So on this 80th anniversary, let us turn towards the Charter and remind ourselves of the hard-won gains and the hard-learned lessons of the past.

The UK will work with the Secretary-General and Member States to deliver meaningful reform at UN80 for a more efficient and effective UN – that delivers what the Charter promises and that allows every one of us to realise our enshrined rights and hope for a better future.
Property Springs Group
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Property Springs Group will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Property Springs Group recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Nexus
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Nexus will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Nexus recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Discounts
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
The Infrastructure Planning  (Onshore Wind and Solar Generating Stations) Order 2025:  impact assessment - RPC opinion (green-rated)
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-31)

Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s impact assessment (IA) in respect of the Order

The Government propose changes to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime to increase the threshold at which solar projects are determined as an NSIP; and to re-introduce onshore wind-generating stations, with a generating capacity of over 100 megawatts, into the NSIP regime for England only.

The IA (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348269765/impacts/2025/56) provides sufficient evidence of the problem under consideration to support the rationale for intervention. It also conducts options generation and provides a partial NPSV assessment to justify the preferred way forward, with indicative estimates where possible. The IA explains qualitatively the need to set a threshold that balances the development cost savings while still ensuring that projects go through the right processes, supporting the justification of the preferred option. Considering the deregulatory nature of the proposal, the RPC finds the SaMBA to be sufficient.

The IA presents an EANDCB figure of £0.3 million, consisting of familiarisation costs to business. The Department indicates that it expects the preferred option to have an overall positive impact on total welfare due to the non-monetised benefits from efficiency in site sizing and reduced system emissions. The IA would benefit from further summarising the administrative impacts faced by local and central government in the total impacts section of the scorecard, particularly as these impacts appear to be mixed, including costs as well as benefits. The IA could clarify whether local planning authorities have the capacity and expertise to handle additional solar project applications.
Mr J Groenewald v Nicholas Mee & Company Ltd: 3304280/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-29)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Mr J Groenewald v Nicholas Mee & Company Ltd: 3304280/2024 - Dismissal (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682b23df02662c6f8ec24438/Mr_J_Groenewald_v_Nicholas_Mee___Company_Limited_3304280.2024_FMH_Judgment.pdf).
CH256000 - How to do a compliance check: using inspection powers: inspections by the Valuation Office Agency: contents
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-01)


This page and chapter are under review as the relevant content is also published in the technical guidance chapters of the Compliance Handbook (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/compliance-handbook), within Compliance checks factsheets (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hm-revenue-and-customs-compliance-checks-factsheets) and in Compliance checks guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmrc-compliance-checks-help-and-support). If you use particular pages regularly, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to let us know the specific content you find useful.
Mr S Fofana v Window Widgets Ltd: 6000735/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-04)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Mr S Fofana v Window Widgets Ltd: 6000735/2024 - Preliminary (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67af2f18a75f02dffca29b5d/Mr_S_Fofana_-vs-_Window_Widgets_Limited_-_6000735.2024_-_Judgment.pdf).

Read the full decision in Mr S Fofana v Window Widgets Ltd: 6000735/2024 - Judgment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6846e708e5a089417c806177/Mr_S_Fofana_-vs-_Window_Widgets_Limited_-_6000735.2024_-_Judgment___.pdf).

Read the full decision in Mr S Fofana v Window Widgets Ltd: 6000735/2024 - Reasons (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6889df9b8b3a37b63e738fcf/Mr_S_Fofana_-vs-_Window_Widgets_Limited_-_6000735.2024_-_Reasons.pdf).
CG67826 - Reliefs: employee-ownership trusts: The ‘trustee residence requirement’
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-04)


Throughout this manual, all legislative references are to Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/12/contents) (“TCGA92”) unless otherwise stated.

S236H(4)(za) (inserted by by para 2 of Sch 6 Finance Act 2025) provides that for disposals on or after 30 October 2024, the trustees of the settlement must be resident in the UK,
- at the time of the disposal and
- for the remainder of the tax year in which that time falls.
If there is more than one trustee, the trustees are treated as a single body, see CG10732 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/capital-gains-manual/cg10732).

﻿
HMAG150261 - Excise duty points: forfeiture
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-30)


If, in relation to excise goods that are liable to duty that has not been paid, there is a contravention of any provision of the HMDP Regulations or the NI HMDP Regulations, or a contravention of any condition or restriction imposed by or under the HMDP Regulations or the NI HMDP Regulations, those goods are liable to forfeiture under regulation 88. In this case the goods may be seized.

Further guidance on forfeiture and seizure can be found in the FIS Handbook.
Richard Montgomery CMG
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-09)

Richard is British High Commissioner to Nigeria and the UK Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) based in Abuja, from May 2023. Richard was the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Boards from 2018 to 2022. His role included ensuring that the improvements agreed by shareholders in 2018 were implemented. Richard worked on the global COVID response, the UK’s G7 and COP26 presidencies, and the World Bank Group’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its global impact. He was previously a Director at the Department for International Development ( DFID ), overseeing Asia, Caribbean and Overseas Territories Division. This included country programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and 10 other overseas offices and UK-based departments. Before that, Richard served as Head of Office in Pakistan (2013 to 2015) and Nigeria (2009 to 2013), and Head of Corporate Human Resources (2006 to 2009). He has also worked in DFID ’s top management group and DFID offices in Zambia, Bangladesh and India. Before joining DFID Richard worked in a German engineering company, as a lecturer in development studies in Swansea University, and as a consultant for development projects across Asia. He studied anthropology, and has a PhD from Cambridge University on economic and social change in north India. Follow Richard Montgomery on X .

Richard is British High Commissioner to Nigeria and the UK Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) based in Abuja, from May 2023.

Richard was the UK Executive Director at the World Bank Group Boards from 2018 to 2022. His role included ensuring that the improvements agreed by shareholders in 2018 were implemented. Richard worked on the global COVID response, the UK’s G7 and COP26 presidencies, and the World Bank Group’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its global impact.

He was previously a Director at the Department for International Development (DFID), overseeing Asia, Caribbean and Overseas Territories Division. This included country programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and 10 other overseas offices and UK-based departments.

Before that, Richard served as Head of Office in Pakistan (2013 to 2015) and Nigeria (2009 to 2013), and Head of Corporate Human Resources (2006 to 2009). He has also worked in DFID’s top management group and DFID offices in Zambia, Bangladesh and India.

Before joining DFID Richard worked in a German engineering company, as a lecturer in development studies in Swansea University, and as a consultant for development projects across Asia. He studied anthropology, and has a PhD from Cambridge University on economic and social change in north India.

Follow Richard Montgomery on X (https://twitter.com/RMontgomeryUK).