These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers in sections 8 and 23 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and to make consequential provision.

These Regulations make amendments to domestic legislation in the field of social security in Northern Ireland, to reflect that the United Kingdom will no longer be a Member State of the European Union and to amend section 155 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8) to allow for the implementation of reciprocal agreements with the European Union or individual Member States following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.