Everything changing in November 2026

Four dated changes fall in November 2026 in the official documents we could open, starting with the Cold Weather Payment winter period on 1 November, according to GOV.UK.

What changes, and when

1 November: Cold Weather Payment winter begins

The winter period runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. A payment is £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather, and it is triggered when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below. Eligible people get the payments automatically, the Cold Weather Payment guidance says.

The Pension Credit guidance lists Cold Weather Payments (or Winter Heating Payments in Scotland) among other help for people who get that benefit. It does not set out the full rules and sends readers to a separate eligibility page.

18 November: payroll agent registration window opens

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) says in its October Employer Bulletin that the registration window for payroll agents under its mandatory tax adviser registration requirements opens on 18 November 2026. Payroll agents who communicate with HMRC on behalf of clients may need to register, the bulletin says, and it adds that there is no need to register yet.

30 November: student visa funds figures rise

A Home Office statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 584, dated 3 September 2026, says three paragraphs of Appendix Student, ST8 to ST10, take effect on 30 November 2026. Appendix Student asks applicants who have to show funds to hold £1,529 for each month of the course for study in London, up to a maximum of nine months. That becomes £1,570. The £1,171 monthly figure for study outside London becomes £1,203.

By our arithmetic that is £41 more a month on the first figure and £32 more on the second. The £1,529 cap on an accommodation deposit that can be offset against those funds also becomes £1,570. Applications made before 30 November are decided under the rules in force on 29 November 2026, the statement says.

30 November: transitional vaping duty stamps can be bought until this date

Vaping Products Duty and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme started on 1 October 2026, HMRC said in a press release of 1 September, at £2.20 per 10ml whether or not a product contains nicotine. Approved manufacturers, UK representatives and warehousekeepers can buy transitional duty stamps until 30 November 2026 and affix them until 31 December 2026.

From 1 January 2027 only digital duty stamps may be affixed to vaping products, and from 1 April 2027 all retail packaging sold or supplied in the UK must carry a valid stamp.

Employment rights changes are not on the list. The business.gov.uk employment rights page gives 30 October for the next set and 1 January 2027 for unfair dismissal protections, and none for November.