Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/1724) (“the 1988 Regulations”) principally by substituting new Schedules to those Regulations in relation to the lists of weather stations and applicable postcode districts in Schedule 1, and alternative weather stations in Schedule 2, but also by amending the interpretation provisions.
Regulation 3 deletes from the interpretation provisions of the 1988 Regulations a number of definitions for terms which are no longer used in the Regulations. It also amends the definition of “claimant” by adding references to “state pension credit” and “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” and adds a definition of “state pension credit”.
Schedule 1 to the 1988 Regulations specifies primary weather stations which are relevant to determining whether there is a recorded, or forecasted, period of cold weather. Schedule 2 to the 1988 Regulations specifies alternative stations used to determine this information where the primary station is unable to do so (where there is no specified alternative station, the nearest station to the primary station able to provide this information is used).
Regulation 4 replaces Schedule 1 to the 1988 Regulations with Schedule 1 to these Regulations. The new Schedule largely re-enacts the list contained in the former Schedule 1, but it assigns postcodes from Newcastle Weather Station (which is being closed) to other weather stations, adds Albemarle and Loftus as new weather stations to the scheme and provides for certain other changes to the postcode and weather station linkages.
Regulation 5 replaces Schedule 2 to the 1988 Regulations with Schedule 2 to these Regulations. The new Schedule largely re-enacts the list contained in the former Schedule 2 but makes a change due to the closure of Church Lawford weather station and adds two specified alternative weather stations, Linton on Ouse and St Catherine’s Point.
The Postcode Atlas of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the postcode maps may be obtained from their publishers. A person may establish the current postcode for their address by contacting the Royal Mail Postcode Enquiries Office (telephone 08457 111222) or by logging on to the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com.
A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.