Local Authority round-up 4 September 2026
4th September, 2026
Our Local Authority round up provides brief summaries of topical information on a weekly basis, to keep you aware of the changes and updates relevant to you.
Education
Government eases school costs
Families facing the cost of sending children back to school will get much needed help as the government announce package of support.
As new school year begins, children from families receiving Universal Credit will now benefit from free school meals. This will work in conjunction with more free breakfast clubs opening across the county, government funded childcare and new limits on expansive branded school uniforms helping to ease pressure. These new measures mean families could save up to £1,200 a year, while eligible working parents using government funded childcare could save up to £8,000 a year.
For more information, please click here.
Upfront help cuts placement costs for healthcare students
Thousands of future nurses, midwives, allied health and dental professionals will receive support with travel and accommodation costs for clinical placements under the government’s new plans to reduce financial barriers to training.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, eligible students with full access to the NHS Learning Support Fund will be able to receive advance payments for placement-related travel and accommodation costs.
The change means students no longer have to cover expenses themselves before claiming the money back. Under the current system, students must book and pay for travel and accommodation upfront and then submit claims for reimbursement. This new system will give students greater control over their finances while they complete their training.
For more information, please click here.
Health & Social Care
One month until Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme commences
Businesses are reminded to prepare for Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Stamps Scheme which is set to stary on 1 October 2026.
The new exercise comprises a duty of £2.20 per 10ml on vaping products, whether they contain nicotine or not, and will come into force alongside tobacco duty increases.
Businesses that manufacture vaping products, act as UK representatives for overseas manufactures, or store duty-suspended vaping products should have obtained the appropriate HMRC approvals needed to operate from 1 October 2026. Businesses liable for Vaping Product Duty will need to account for and pay the duty when the ‘duty point’ is triggered.
Duty-liable products released for sale in the UK will also need a valid vaping duty stamp. Where products enter a duty-suspension arrangement, payment of the duty is deferred until they leave duty-suspension. Whether the duty is passed to others in the supply chain is a commercial decision.
For further information, please click here.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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