Social Security Act 1975

125 Duty to increase certain benefits

(1) The Secretary of State shall in the tax year 1975-1976 and each subsequent tax year review the sums specified in—

(a) Schedule 4 to this Act, Parts I, III, IV and V (except the sum specified in Part III for age addition); and

(b) sections 2(6)(c) and 7(2)(b) of the Old Cases Act,

for the purpose of determining whether those sums have retained their value in relation to the general level of earnings or prices obtaining in Great Britain.

(2) For the purposes of any such review the Secretary of State shall estimate the general level of earnings and prices in such manner as he thinks fit and shall have regard either to earnings or prices according to which he considers more advantageous to beneficiaries, except that he shall have regard only to prices as respects the sums specified in—

(a) Part I of Schedule 4 to this Act, paragraphs 1 and 4, and Part IV of that Schedule, paragraphs 1(a) and 3 (unemployment and sickness benefit and maternity allowance); and

(b) Part V of that Schedule, paragraphs 1, 9, 11 and 15(6) (injury benefit and lower rate allowance in respect of deceased's children).

(3) If on any such review the Secretary of State concludes that any of the sums in question have not retained their value as mentioned above, he shall prepare and lay before each House of Parliament the draft of an up-rating order increasing those sums at least to such extent as he thinks necessary to restore their value.

(4) If a draft order laid before Parliament in pursuance of this section is approved by resolution of each House, the Secretary of State shall make the order in the form of the draft.