The law is one of the most important things to stay up to date with across the world, and the UK is no different. It affects you, your partner, your family, your job and even your future. As with everything in life, the law is going to change as more technology is introduced or new scenarios come to light. Unfortunately, these changes aren’t always made obvious to the general public. In fact, hundreds of laws are passed in the UK every year, many of which you will not be aware of.
As such, this article will look at some of the more recent changes made to British Law and how they may affect you. Not all of the items listed below will directly affect you now, but it is always a good idea to stay informed. Read on to find out what has changed in the last few years.
CBD Is Legal And Helpful
Many of you will have heard of CBD oil at some point during the last number of years. That is because the use of CBD oil became legal in the UK in 2018. It is often confused with THC because of its relation to the cannabis plant. However, you can now buy CBD oil in the UK legally as long as it does not contain THC. This is because THC has more negative connotations.
Therefore, you are able to get CBD oil in the UK from places such as The Good Level. This oil is used as an alternative treatment for ailments, including physical pains and mental health issues. What’s more, CBD now comes in all shapes and sizes. You can eat it, drink it, and even ingest it as part of a spray. If you have ever been curious about CBD, now is the time to give it a try.
Affordable Broadband
The internet is no longer a frivolous means of entertainment as it was back in the nineties. This interconnected web of data is now used by almost everyone, so much so that it has been implemented into all our daily lives. You now need to use the internet at work, sort out household bills, and even educate. Many of us also still choose to use it for entertainment purposes. Unfortunately, this internet is not a free service.
However, it would be completely unfair to expect everyone to pay through the nose for something that is so vital to modern life. That is why the affordable broadband bill was passed in March 2020. This piece of legislation forces broadband providers to supply a minimum of ten Mbps of download speeds to their customers, and they can charge no more than £3,400 per annum. If you find that you are struggling to pay for your internet, it is well worth looking into this bill as you can now request broadband at an affordable price.
Contactless Payment Rise
Contactless payment has become a regular part of daily life since it was introduced all the way back in 2007. This simple touch and go approach made shopping quick and easy, removing some of the security issues that came from openly entering your pin number in a public machine. However, it did not take long for criminals to find a way to take advantage of this new technology. To protect contactless payment users, a cap of £30 was put on all transactions to limit how much money can be lost to fraud.
This limit was seen as a negative but it was necessary, for a little while at least. Now technology has advanced in our favour with the introduction of RFID blocking wallets. The sudden reduction in contactless fraud meant that the contactless payment limit was increased to £100 a day for spenders in September 2021. There is no longer any need to be frugal with your contactless payments on your next shopping spree, and the economy will thank you for it.
The Halogen Lightbulb
The Halogen lightbulb has been a part of UK homes since the late 1950s. These easy-to-find light sources were always handy to have around, but nothing can last forever. Another change of legislation in September 2021 banned the sale of halogen lightbulbs across all UK stores. This law was introduced in an effort to make the average UK home more environmentally friendly and has been successful.
It isn’t illegal to continue using halogen lightbulbs in your house if you still have some plugged in; however, you can no longer buy more if this source runs out. There are plenty of green alternatives to halogen lightbulbs, such as LED bulbs, and these work just as well. If you have been searching for a replacement for your halogen lightbulb, this new legislation will explain why you have not been able to find one.
Underage Botox Ban
Almost everyone has heard of Botox. For those who haven’t, it is a chemical that is injected into the skin to relax the muscles in the affected area. Botox is most commonly used as a beauty treatment. It is applied to the face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make a person look younger. Botox is a fairly new application, which is why it took so long for some laws to be put in place to regulate its use.
That is why it wasn’t until October 2021 that a law was passed making it illegal for anyone to receive or administer Botox to anyone under the age of eighteen. Doing so is now a criminal act that can result in a prison sentence or substantial fine depending on the severity of the Botox application. There are still cases where Botox can be used on an underage individual for medical purposes, but this procedure needs to be approved by a doctor.
Maternity Protection
It has always been hard to balance pregnancy and employment. Every mother needs to stay safe and relaxed while carrying their child, but at the same time, they also need to earn a wage. Modern maternity cover often allows pregnant workers to take maternity leave during their third trimester and for some time after they give birth. This leave is paid at a rate negotiated at the start of the employee’s contract. However, a lot can happen during this period of absence.
That is why a new law was passed in 2021 to protect pregnant employees in the workplace further. If a company needs to make a worker redundant during maternity leave, it is now their responsibility to find a new alternative role. This protects the employee from any unfair dismissals due to their absence and ensures that they are able to pay their bills in the meantime.
Conclusion
A society can often be fickle, which is why there are hundreds of tiny laws in place to keep everything running smoothly. Some of these laws are so small that they go unnoticed, and others are so huge that they make national news. Most of the changes in legislation listed above fall somewhere in the middle, which is why you should brush up to make sure that you don’t get caught out doing something you shouldn’t.
