The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2012

Statutory Instruments

2012 No. 819

Social Security

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2012

Made

14th March 2012

Laid before Parliament

15th March 2012

Coming into force

9th April 2012

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 90, 113(1), 122(1) and 175(1) and (3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(1) and sections 5(1)(p), 155(3), 189(1) and (4) and 191 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992(2).

These Regulations contain only provisions in consequence of an order under sections 150 and 150A(3) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992(4).

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2012 and shall come into force on 9th April 2012.

(2) In these Regulations, “the Up-rating Order” means the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012(5).

Exceptions relating to payment of additional benefit by virtue of the Up-rating Order

2.  Section 155(3) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (effect of alteration of rates of benefit under Parts 2 to 5 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992) shall not apply if a question arises as to either—

(a) the weekly rate at which the benefit is payable by virtue of the Up-rating Order, or

(b) whether the conditions for receipt of the benefit at the altered rate are satisfied,

until that question has been determined in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act 1998(6).

Persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain

3.  Regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975(7) (application of disqualification in respect of up-rating of benefit) shall apply to any additional benefit payable by virtue of the Up-rating Order.

Amendment of the Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations 1977

4.  In paragraph 2B of Schedule 2 to the Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations 1977(8) (increase of carer’s allowance for child dependants)—

(a) for “£205”, in both places where it occurs, substitute “£215”; and

(b) for “£27” substitute “£28”.

Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987

5.  In paragraph 4(2A) of Schedule 9 to the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987(9) (deductions from benefit and direct payment to third parties) for “£22.60”, in each place where it occurs, substitute “£23.25”.

Revocation

6.  The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2011(10) are revoked.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Steve Webb

Minister of State,

Department for Work and Pensions

14th March 2012

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

This instrument contains only provisions in consequence of an order under sections 150 and 150A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5). Accordingly, by virtue of section 172(1) and (3) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to, that Act, the Secretary of State has not referred these Regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

Regulation 2 provides that where a question has arisen about the effect of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/780) (“the Up-rating Order”) on a benefit already in payment, the altered rates will not apply until that question is determined by the Secretary of State, the First-tier Tribunal or the Upper Tribunal.

Regulation 3 applies the provisions of regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975 (S.I. 1975/563) so as to restrict the application of the increases specified in the Up-rating Order in cases where the beneficiary is not ordinarily resident in Great Britain.

Regulation 4 raises from £205 to £215, and from £27 to £28, the earnings limits for child dependency increases payable with a carer’s allowance. These increases were abolished by section 1(3)(e) of, and Schedule 6 to, the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c.21) but are saved for transitional cases by virtue of article 3 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/938).

Regulation 5 increases from £22.60 to £23.25 the amount allowed for personal expenses for a person in accommodation for which benefit is paid to their accommodation provider.

Regulation 6 revokes the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/830).

A full impact assessment has not been published for this instrument as it has no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations.

(1)

1992 c.4. Section 90 was amended by paragraph 26 of Schedule 8 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30) and by article 2 of, and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule to, S.I. 2002/1457. Section 90 was repealed by Schedule 6 to the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c.21) (“the 2002 Act”) in respect of child dependency increases, subject to savings by article 3 of S.I. 2003/938. Section 90 was repealed for remaining purposes by Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c.24), subject to a saving by section 15(2)(b) of that Act. Section 113(1) was amended by paragraph 38 of Schedule 24 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c.33). Section 175(1) was amended by paragraph 29(2) of Schedule 3 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c.2) (“the 1999 Act”). Section 122(1) is cited for the meaning assigned to the word “prescribe”.

(2)

1992 c.5. Section 189(1) and (4) was amended by section 86 of, and paragraph 109(a) and (c) of Schedule 7 and Schedule 8 to, the Social Security Act 1998 (c.14). Section 189(1) was also amended by paragraph 57(2) of Schedule 3 to the 1999 Act and Schedule 6 to the 2002 Act. Section 191 is cited for the meaning assigned to the word “prescribe”.

(3)

Section 150A was inserted by section 5(1) of the Pensions Act 2007 (c.22).

(4)

By virtue of section 172(1) and (3) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to, the Social Security Administration Act 1992, there is no requirement to consult the Social Security Advisory Committee in respect of these Regulations.

(5)

S.I. 2012/780.

(6)

1998 c.14.

(7)

S.I. 1975/563; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1977/342, 1979/1432, 1989/1642, 1990/621, 1992/1700, 1994/1832, 2000/2876, 2005/1551 and 2877 and 2010/788.

(8)

S.I. 1977/343. Paragraph 2B was inserted by S.I. 1984/1699; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2002/2497 and 2011/830.

(9)

S.I. 1987/1968. Sub-paragraph (2A) was inserted by S.I. 2003/2325; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 2011/830.

(10)

S.I. 2011/830.