Eight new laws that could affect you in 2023 - from voter ID to higher municipal tax bills

The new year will bring a number of laws and rule changes, including voting procedures in elections, increased municipal tax bills and other Brexit-related changes.

It has been a turbulent 12 months politically, with three prime ministers, dozens of ministers changing governments and little time to make laws.

Many laws were thrown into chaos, with Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng making numerous promises in their minimum budget and being forced to roll them back weeks later.

Rishi Sunak barely proposed new laws because he was too busy trying to calm the storm.

We've put together an overview of 8 new laws and changes coming into force in 2023 that may affect you.

Voters will be required to show photo ID at polling stations during elections (
Picture:
Getty Images) Voter ID
The Elections Act 2022 means you will need to show photo ID in UK Parliamentary elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections and local elections in England.

Voter ID is designed to prevent people from impersonating someone else when they vote.

However, there have been criticisms that the scheme will cost upwards of £40m over a decade, despite the government itself acknowledging that levels of fraud are low.

Additionally, the Electoral Reform Society says evidence from around the world shows that forcing voters to bring photo ID to the polling station makes it harder for people to vote.

Fears have been raised that requiring photo ID would hit black people, transgender voters and disabled Britons the hardest, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has warned deputies.

Provisions for voter identification must be in place for local elections in England in May 2023 and for any UK parliamentary elections held after that date.
Minimum wage
The Chancellor has announced that the National Living Wage will increase by 9.7% - 92p - from April.

The new hourly rate will be £10.42, which means a pay rise of £1,600 for a full-time worker.

The National Living Wage is the rate set by the government as the legal minimum for employees over the age of 23. For 2022 it has been set at £9.50 per hour.

Politics Dec 30, 2022 0 45 Add to Reading List

Eight new laws that could affect you in 2023 - from voter ID to higher municipal tax bills

The new year will bring a number of laws and rule changes, including voting procedures in elections, increased municipal tax bills and other Brexit-related changes.

It has been a turbulent 12 months politically, with three prime ministers, dozens of ministers changing governments and little time to make laws.

Many laws were thrown into chaos, with Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng making numerous promises in their minimum budget and being forced to roll them back weeks later.

Rishi Sunak barely proposed new laws because he was too busy trying to calm the storm.

We've put together an overview of 8 new laws and changes coming into force in 2023 that may affect you.

Voters will be required to bring photo ID to polling stations at elections

Voters will be required to show photo ID at polling stations during elections (

Picture:

Getty Images) Voter ID

The Elections Act 2022 means you will need to show photo ID in UK Parliamentary elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections and local elections in England.

Voter ID is designed to prevent people from impersonating someone else when they vote.

However, there have been criticisms that the scheme will cost upwards of £40m over a decade, despite the government itself acknowledging that levels of fraud are low.

Additionally, the Electoral Reform Society says evidence from around the world shows that forcing voters to bring photo ID to the polling station makes it harder for people to vote.

Fears have been raised that requiring photo ID would hit black people, transgender voters and disabled Britons the hardest, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has warned deputies.

Provisions for voter identification must be in place for local elections in England in May 2023 and for any UK parliamentary elections held after that date.

Minimum wage

The Chancellor has announced that the National Living Wage will increase by 9.7% - 92p - from April.

The new hourly rate will be £10.42, which means a pay rise of £1,600 for a full-time worker.

The National Living Wage is the rate set by the government as the legal minimum for employees over the age of 23. For 2022 it has been set at £9.50 per hour.