Our UK e-invoice mandate page said the implementation roadmap was "due with Budget 2026". It is now out: a search excerpt of the gov.uk e-invoicing requirements page says it was published on 28 October 2026, sets out decisions, products and delivery milestones for VAT-registered businesses from 1 April 2029, and that enabling powers will be in Finance Bill 2026-27.
What we did not read. gov.uk was unreachable from our build environment, so we have only that excerpt. Pre-Budget commentary guessed at a phased start for large firms, and two vendor sites gave conflicting consultation dates. We state none of that as fact. The page now says what was published, says what we could not open, and still gives no penalty amount.
What stays true. The checker tests EN 16931 and Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 files, the likely starting point, not a confirmed UK profile. If you plan for 2029, read the roadmap itself first.