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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 258
MERCHANT SHIPPING
The Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse
Authorities) (Increase of Borrowing Limit) Order 2026
Made - - - - 11th March 2026
Coming into force - - 12th March 2026
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 216(2) of the
Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (“the Act”)(1), and with the approval of the Treasury.
In accordance with section 216(3) of the Act, a draft of this Order has been laid before and
approved by a resolution of the House of Commons.
Citation, commencement and extent
1. This Order—
(a) may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse Authorities) (Increase of
Borrowing Limit) Order 2026;
(b) comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made; and
(c) extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Increase of borrowing limit
2. The limit specified in section 216(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is increased with
effect from 12:01 a.m. on 31st March 2026 to £166 million.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
11th March 2026 Department for Transport
(1) 1995 c. 21.Document Generated: 2026-03-12
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
We approve the making of this Order
Christian Wakeford
Gen Kitchen
Two of the Lords Commissioners of His
10th March 2026 Majesty’s Treasury
2Document Generated: 2026-03-12
Status: This is the original version (as it was originally made). This
item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
Under section 215 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”), general lighthouse
authorities may borrow money for certain purposes and subject to obtaining the necessary consents.
Under section 216(1) of the 1995 Act, the aggregate amount that may be outstanding in respect of the
principal of any sums borrowed is limited to £100 million. This limit was increased to £133 million
on the 31st December 2024 by the Merchant Shipping (General Lighthouse Authorities) (Increase
of Borrowing Limit) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1274).
This Order increases that limit by a further £33 million, i.e. to £166 million, with effect from 31st
March 2026, in accordance with section 216(2) of the 1995 Act.
No impact assessment has been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the
private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
An Explanatory Memorandum and a de minimis assessment have been prepared and are published
alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.
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