Editorial Information
X1Unreliable words in heading.
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 138-140G repealed (1.4.2013 in so far as relate to the abolition of council tax benefit) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/358, art. 8(c), Sch. 4 (with arts. 9, 10, Sch. 5)
F2Ss. 139A-139C and cross-heading inserted (1.7.1997) by Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 (c. 47), ss. 5, 25(1); S.I. 1997/1577, art. 2, Sch.
[F3(1)The Secretary of State may authorise persons to consider and report to him on the administration by authorities of housing benefit and council tax benefit.
(2)The Secretary of State may ask persons authorised under subsection (1) to consider in particular–
(a)authorities’ performance in the prevention and detection of fraud relating to housing benefit and council tax benefit;
(b)authorities compliance with the requirements of Part I of the Local Government Act 1999 (best value) [F4or the performance requirements set out in section 89 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021].
(2A)A person may be authorised under subsection (1)–
(a)on such terms and for such period as the Secretary of State thinks fit;
(b)to act generally or in relation to a specified authority or authorities;
(c)to report on administration generally or on specified matters.]
(3)In sections 139B and 139C below—
“benefit” means housing benefit or council tax benefit; and
“authority” means an authority which is administering either of those benefits.]]
Textual Amendments
F3S. 139A(1)-(2A) substituted for s. 139A(1)(2) (27.7.1999) by Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27), s. 14(1); S.I. 1999/2169, art. 4(1)
F4Words in s. 139A(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2021) by virtue of The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/296), regs. 1(2), 3(2) (with reg. 3(5))