A series of rules, regulations and laws have come into effect, including a ban on incitement to religious hatred.

The commencement of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act, in England and Wales on Monday created a new offence of intentionally stirring up religious hatred against people on religious grounds.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said the law "closes this small but important gap in the law against extremists who stir up hatred in our communities".

"We are committed to protecting everyone in our society and legislating against this abhorrent behaviour," he said.

"Our overarching goal is to build a civilised society where we can all achieve our potential free from prejudice."

Fuel duty

As announced in March's Budget, a two pence rise in fuel duty took effect - the first above-inflation rise since 2000.

Further increases in the duty are due in 2008 and 2009.

Stephen Joseph, executive director at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "We want to see the revenues from this fuel increase ring-fenced for public transport and other measures that will give people real travel choices, in line with the commitment Gordon Brown made in the 2000 Budget.

"Since 1997, the real cost of motoring has fallen while the cost of using public transport has risen.

"We welcome this rise in fuel duty if it is used to help level the playing field amongst transport options."

Business

Employers are also affected by a series of changes to employee rights.

The national minimum wage increases from £5.35 to £5.52 an hour, £4.45 to £4.60 for 18 to 21-year-olds, and £3.30 to £3.40 for 16 to 17-year-olds.

And the minimum number of statutory paid leave days increases from 20 days a year to 24 days.

Retailers, meanwhile, are affected by an increase from 16 to 18 in the tobacco age of sale.

Ministers say they are taking further action to prevent young people becoming smokers.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: "We are determined to reduce the number of young people who smoke.

"Raising the legal age of sale to 18 will make it easier for retailers to spot underage smokers and lead to less young people becoming addicted to nicotine and continuing to smoke into adulthood."

Mental health

And the Mental Capacity Act came into force, with the new Court of Protection, Public Guardian and the Office of the Public Guardian becoming operational for England and Wales.

Lasting powers of attorney also take effect from Monday.

Mental health charity Mind said the law is "an important development, introducing new safeguards to protect the rights of some of the most vulnerable people in our society".

"It gives people with mental health problems more control over their lives, so that they can choose how they are treated if they are unable to make decisions in the future," said chief executive Paul Farmer.

"It allows them to choose trusted loved ones to make decisions in their best interests, and empowers them to make choices from dealing with their finances to their day-to-day care.

"Advocacy services will give a voice to some of the most isolated people. Most importantly, it gives people the legal backing to ensure their rights are protected."