---
title: "United Kingdom — Sandboxes & Transitional Relief | Global AI Monitor"
canonical: https://artificial-intelligence.gi/jurisdictions/united-kingdom/sandboxes-and-transitional-relief/
source_html: /jurisdictions/united-kingdom/sandboxes-and-transitional-relief/index.html
description: "United Kingdom — Sandboxes & Transitional Relief: 11 Sandboxes & Transitional Relief Active Under review ▾ # FCA approach to AI: no new AI-specific rules and AI Live Testing (Published 2026-06-08): FCA position that it will not in"
generated_at: 2026-10-25T22:24:54Z
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---
# United Kingdom — Sandboxes & Transitional Relief | Global AI Monitor

### 11Sandboxes & Transitional ReliefActive Derived: Probable▾#

FCA approach to AI: no new AI-specific rules and AI Live Testing (Published 2026-06-08): FCA position that it will not introduce new regulations for AI and will rely on existing frameworks such as the Consumer Duty and SM&CR, supported by an AI Live Testing programme whose second cohort was announced on 21 April 2026.

3 instruments · 0 obligations · 9 claims

3 instruments (3 current) · 0 obligations · 9 claims · 0 milestones

Instruments

- FCA approach to AI: no new AI-specific rules and AI Live Testing Published 2026-06-08FCA position that it will not introduce new regulations for AI and will rely on existing frameworks such as the Consumer Duty and SM&CR, supported by an AI Live Testing programme whose second cohort was announced on 21 April 2026.Non-binding · Authority: Financial Conduct Authority · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/blogs/ai-financial-services-approach)
- Legal services advisory AI Growth Lab (DSIT) Date not recordedDSIT advisory programme giving AI innovators and adopters in legal services coordinated access to regulators; applications opened August 2026 and closed 27 September 2026; advisory only, disapplies no law.Non-binding · Authority: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-ai-growth-lab-legal-services/legal-services-advisory-ai-growth-lab-overview)
- Regulating for Growth Bill (announced; regulatory sandbox powers) Draft, no legal forceAnnounced Government bill (King's Speech, 13 May 2026) that would give the Government cross-sector sandbox powers to temporarily modify or disapply legislation blocking innovation, including through the AI Growth Lab. No introduction to Parliament confirmed as at 8 July 2026.Authority: Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade · Verified 8 Oct 2026 · [Official text](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b8079e6315445441381e/regulatory_sandboxing_what_businesses_can_expect.pdf)

Claims and evidence (9)
- On 21 April 2026 the FCA announced the second cohort of firms admitted to its AI Live Testing sandbox programme.Confidence: Probable · As of 21 Apr 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[FCA announces second cohort for AI Live Testing](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-announces-second-cohort-ai-live-testing) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · FCA press release (opening paragraph)Speaking at UK FinTech Week, Jessica Rusu, chief data, information and intelligence officer at the FCA, has confirmed the second group of firms selected to join AI Live Testing.

- The government announced on 8 July 2026 that it will seek cross-sector sandbox powers in a Regulating for Growth Bill to allow temporary modification or disapplication of legislation blocking innovation, including for AI.Confidence: Probable · As of 8 Jul 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Regulatory sandboxes: what businesses can expect](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Opening paragraphThe government will seek transformational new cross-sector powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill to support businesses willing to innovate and test new ideas. These sandbox powers would allow government to temporarily modify or disapply legislation that is acting as a blocker to innovation and growth.

- DSIT launched the AI Growth Lab call for evidence on 21 October 2025, seeking views on a cross-economy sandbox to oversee deployment of AI-enabled products and services that current regulation hinders.Confidence: Probable · As of 21 Oct 2025 · evidencedEvidence and sources[AI Growth Lab: call for evidence](https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/ai-growth-lab/ai-growth-lab) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · AI Growth Lab call for evidenceWe are seeking evidence on a pioneering cross-economy sandbox, that would oversee the deployment of AI-enabled products and services that current regulation hinders.

- Derived: Probable The Regulating for Growth Bill, creating cross-sector regulatory sandbox powers, was announced with the 2026 King's Speech on 13 May 2026.Confidence: Probable · As of 13 May 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[King's Speech 2026: background briefing notes (landing page)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kings-speech-2026-background-briefing-notes) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · GOV.UK landing pageRead the briefing notes on the announcements made in the 2026 King's Speech.
- [AI in the King's Speech 2026: Regulating for Growth Bill announced](https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2026/ai-in-the-kings-speech-2026-regulating-for-growth-bill-announced) T3 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Bird & Bird, section 1This refers to the government's plans to introduce a new "Regulating for Growth Bill" which will create sandbox powers and reinforce the focus of regulators towards growth. More details on this in section 3 below.
- [Regulating for Growth Bill: Regulatory Sandboxes - What Businesses Can Expect](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b8079e6315445441381e/regulatory_sandboxing_what_businesses_can_expect.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Sandbox explainer, introductionThe Government will seek transformational new cross-sector powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill to

- Derived: Probable The Government says it will seek sandbox powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill that would let it temporarily modify or disapply legislation that blocks innovation.Confidence: Probable · As of 13 May 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Regulating for Growth Bill: Regulatory Sandboxes - What Businesses Can Expect](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b8079e6315445441381e/regulatory_sandboxing_what_businesses_can_expect.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Sandbox explainer, introductionThe Government will seek transformational new cross-sector powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill to
- [Regulating for Growth Bill: Regulatory Sandboxes - What Businesses Can Expect](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b8079e6315445441381e/regulatory_sandboxing_what_businesses_can_expect.pdf) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Sandbox explainer, introductiontemporarily modify or disapply legislation that is acting as a blocker to innovation and growth.
- [UK to become world's fastest market to commercialise innovation with regulatory shake-up](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-become-worlds-fastest-market-to-commercialise-innovation-with-regulatory-shake-up) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · GOV.UK press release (quote)The Regulating for Growth Bill changes that, giving businesses a faster route from idea to market and ensuring every part of government — from investment and procurement to skills, infrastructure and regulation — is aligned to create the conditions

- Derived: Probable On 8 July 2026 the Government said it will seek transformational cross-sector sandbox powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill, allowing it to temporarily modify or disapply legislation blocking innovation.Confidence: Probable · As of 8 Jul 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Regulatory sandboxes: what businesses can expect](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Opening paragraphThe government will seek transformational new cross-sector powers in the Regulating for Growth Bill to support businesses willing to innovate and test new ideas. These sandbox powers would allow government to temporarily modify or disapply legislation that is acting as a blocker to innovation and growth.
- [UK to become world's fastest market to commercialise innovation with regulatory shake-up](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-become-worlds-fastest-market-to-commercialise-innovation-with-regulatory-shake-up) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Quotation of the Business and Trade SecretaryThe Regulating for Growth Bill changes that, giving businesses a faster route from idea to market and ensuring every part of government — from investment and procurement to skills, infrastructure and
- [Regulatory sandboxes: what businesses can expect](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Page headerRegulatory sandboxes: what businesses can expect Published 8 July 2026 ## Contents 1. What is a 'r

- GOV.UK lists the AI Growth Lab, bringing multiple regulators together to test cross-cutting AI-enabled products and services, among the sectors in which the Regulating for Growth Bill sandbox powers could be used.Confidence: Probable · As of 8 Jul 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[Regulatory sandboxes: what businesses can expect](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect/regulatory-sandboxes-what-businesses-can-expect) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · Sectors list: cross-economy AIcross-economy AI: the AI Growth Lab will bring multiple regulators together to test cross-cutting AI-enabled products and services to support safe AI adoption and innovation

- The FCA stated on 8 June 2026 that it will not introduce new AI-specific regulation and will rely on existing frameworks including the Consumer Duty and SM&CR, and on 21 April 2026 announced a second AI Live Testing cohort.Confidence: Probable · As of 8 Jun 2026 · evidencedEvidence and sources[AI in financial services: shaping our approach through industry engagement](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/blogs/ai-financial-services-approach) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · FCA blog, paragraph 2We have been clear that we are not going to introduce new regulations for AI. Instead, we'll rely on existing frameworks, including the Consumer Duty,
- [AI in financial services: shaping our approach through industry engagement](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/blogs/ai-financial-services-approach) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · FCA blog, paragraph 2Instead, we’ll rely on existing frameworks, including the Consumer Duty, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), and our expectations on governance and controls.
- [FCA announces second cohort for AI Live Testing](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-announces-second-cohort-ai-live-testing) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · FCA press release (opening paragraph)Speaking at UK FinTech Week, Jessica Rusu, chief data, information and intelligence officer at the FCA, has confirmed the second group of firms selected to join AI Live Testing.

- The legal services advisory AI Growth Lab gives innovators and adopters coordinated access to regulators; its applications window closed at 11:59pm on 27 September 2026.Confidence: Probable · evidencedEvidence and sources[Legal services advisory AI Growth Lab: overview (DSIT)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-ai-growth-lab-legal-services/legal-services-advisory-ai-growth-lab-overview) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · OverviewThe legal services advisory AI Growth Lab provides innovators and adopters with coordinated access to regulators, helping them to understand how current regulation applies to cutting-edge technology so they can bring products to market faster.
- [Legal services advisory AI Growth Lab: overview (DSIT)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-ai-growth-lab-legal-services/legal-services-advisory-ai-growth-lab-overview) T1 · retrieved · retrieved 8 Oct 2026 · OverviewApplications are now open and will close at 11:59pm on 27 September 2026.

Open evidence