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A regular briefing for the alternative asset management industry 

Welcome to Frontline by Travers Smith – our series addressing the key issues affecting the defence sector. 

Every firm carrying out payment, e-money or banking services in the UK should pay close attention to the consultation paper titled Modernising Payment Services Regulation (the CP), published by His Majesty's Treasury (HMT) on 14 July 2026. While Bastille Day may not have been a deliberate choice of publication date (and we are not cynical enough to suggest that there is a pre-summer holiday race to publish taking place among policymakers), it is suitably appropriate, as this paper may herald a genuine revolution in the regulation of payments in the UK.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was published in January 2026 and has been controversial from the start. One of its key aims is to cap ground rents in existing long residential leases at £250 a year from an implementation date in late 2028, reducing in 2068 to a peppercorn.  This follows from a previous consultation under the last Conservative government in 2023/24 which weighed up five different options for tackling excessive ground rents.

On 4 June this year, HMRC quietly updated its published guidance in relation to input tax recovery for defined benefit (DB) pension schemes. These changes to HMRC's internal VAT Input Tax Manual clarify an improved position for the way in which input tax on asset management costs can be recovered, but appear to make recovery of input tax on administration costs more difficult.

Travers Smith advised ProService Building Services Marketplace plc ("ProService") on its refinancing, comprising the issue of up to £25 million floating rate secured convertible loan notes due 2031 to Ravensworth (International) Limited and entry into a £35 million asset-based lending revolving credit facility with Leumi UK Group Limited.

Travers Smith LLP has advised long-standing client IK Partners on the sale of Forthglade, a leading natural pet food manufacturer, to Assisi Pet Care, a leading UK-based producer of premium natural pet food and treats backed by Wind Point Partners.

Deloitte’s recent report predicts that global revenue generated by elite women’s sport will reach at least US$3 billion this year, representing a 25% increase on the 2025 figure. This highlights women’s sport as not only a fast-growing independent industry, but also a rich commercial opportunity, particularly for brands looking for new and innovative sponsorship arrangements.

On Monday 20th July 2026, the UK will have a new Prime Minister, the current Labour MP for Makerfield, The Rt Hon Andy Burnham.