Local Authority round-up 8 May 2026
8th May, 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
Families to save up to £1,000 as children’s reforms become law
Families could save up to £1000 a year as measures to expand free school meals, roll out of free breakfast clubs and the cost of school uniform become law.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act hard-wires the government’s education priorities into law – delivering on their manifesto promise to cut costs for families, protect vulnerable children, and drive higher standards from early years to adulthood.
From September 2026, schools will be required by law to cap the number of branded uniform items to three (excluding ties) and half a million more children will be eligible for free school meals. Additionally, over 2,000 free breakfast clubs will be open.
Alongside cost of living measures, the Act also represents an ambitious piece of safeguarding legislation. The Act will help protect vulnerable children by protecting children in a care system that prioritises child safety over profit, takes action against illegal children’s homes, and gives Ofsted the powers to act against providers that fall short.
For more information, please click here.
Regulatory
Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law
As of 29 April 2026, the Tobacco and Vape Bill was granted Royal Assent, delivering a historic step towards a smoke free UK and protecting people from the harms of tobacco by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
This piece of legislation means today’s children will never be legally sold cigarettes, breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage that has persisted for decades.
The act includes measures to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products, as well as powers to restrict their packaging, branding and displays that are designed to appeal for children.
For more information, please click here.
Housing
Historic protections for renters in action across England
The most historic changes to private renting in England are now in action, giving 11 million tenants landmark new rights and protections that will transform their experiences.
How have tenants’ rights improved?
- No more Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions – landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.
- An end to fixed contracts – all tenancies in private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on agreement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end their tenancies with two months’ notice.
- Landlords can only raise rent once a year and renters can challenge unfair hikes.
- Landlords must stick to no more than advertised rent price.
- Landlords cannot ask for more than one month’s rent upfront.
- It is now illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have children.
- Renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords must reasonably consider it.
For more information, please click here.
Upcoming events
Procurement and Public Law Update
Join us for our next in-person Procurement and Public Law Update, taking place on Thursday 14 May between 9am-11.30am at our Manchester office.
A significant challenge everyone in the public sector is facing is implementing the new procurement rules with their increased transparency requirements.
Tim Care and Matthew Brady will look at what those changes have meant in practice since the introduction of the new Act and the new NHS regime, while Sam Burgess will provide an overview of what Judicial Review is and what organisations need to be mindful of. We will also give practical tips on how to manage procurements now and how to deal with the risks of challenge when the timescales are so tight.
You can register for the event 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.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
