OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2025

The UK’s regulatory strategy and reform agenda has evolved in recent years, reflecting broader political priorities. In May 2024, the government published a Smarter Regulation package aimed at reforming existing regulations to reduce burdens and ensuring a well-functioning regulatory system. This was flanked by a review of Pro-innovation Regulation for Emerging Technologies led by the Government Chief Scientific Advisor. The review seeks to unlock growth potential in key sectors of the economy, providing new impetus after innovation-friendly regulation.

Changes to the Better Regulation Framework (BRF) introduced in September 2023 evolved the UK’s approach to regulatory scrutiny with the aim of increasing the use of alternatives to regulation, considering wider impacts earlier, and assessing more consistently whether implemented regulations are achieving their objectives. The new system is expected to be more proportionate, requiring a full RIA for regulatory provisions greater than +/-£10m EANDCB.1 and for those made through primary laws. The changes also require departments to produce an “options assessment” – an early-stage simplified form of a full RIA – for regulatory provisions above the threshold when regulation becomes a department’s preferred policy. Public consultations continue to occur systematically for new proposals and are conducted over the internet.

The Better Regulation Executive has been restyled as the Regulation Directorate under the Department for Business and Trade and is responsible for better regulation policy and promoting and delivering changes to the regulatory policy framework. The Cabinet Office is responsible for the Guide to Making Legislation and providing training and support to government departments. The UK Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) provides independent scrutiny and quality assurance of RIAs.