The Fines, Council Tax and Community Charges (Deductions from Universal Credit and Other Benefits) Regulations 2013

Amendment of regulation 3

21.—(1) Regulation 3 (deductions from debtor’s income support etc.) is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading, after “income support,” insert “universal credit,”.

(3) After paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Subject to paragraphs (1B), (1C) and (4A) and regulation 4, where the Secretary of State receives an application from an authority in respect of a debtor who is entitled to universal credit, the Secretary of State may deduct an amount from the universal credit payable to the debtor which is equal to 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance and pay that sum to the authority towards satisfaction of any outstanding sum which is or forms part of the amount in respect of which the summary warrant or decree was granted.

(1B) No amount may be deducted under paragraph (1A) where it would reduce the amount of universal credit payable to the debtor to less than 1 penny.

(1C) For the purpose of paragraph (1A), where 5 per cent. of the appropriate universal credit standard allowance results in a fraction of a penny, that fraction is to be disregarded if it is less than half a penny and otherwise it is to be treated as a penny.

(1D) In paragraphs (1A) and (1C), “appropriate universal credit standard allowance” means the appropriate universal credit standard allowance for the debtor for the assessment period in question under regulation 36 of the UC Regulations.”.

(4) After paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) Before making a deduction under paragraph (1A), the Secretary of State must make any deduction which falls to be made in respect of a liability mentioned in paragraph 5(2)(a) to (c) of Schedule 6 to the UC etc. Claims and Payments Regulations.”.