These Regulations are made either by virtue of, or in consequence of, provisions in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33) “the Immigration and Asylum Act" which includes provision for new arrangements for the support of asylum seekers.

These Regulations are made before the end of the period of six months beginning with the coming into force of the relevant provisions of the Act and are therefore exempted from the requirement in section 172(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5) to refer proposals to make these Regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee and are made without reference to that Committee.

Regulation 1 makes provision relating to commencement, citation and interpretation.

Regulation 2 and the Schedule to these Regulations make provision for certain people not to be excluded from entitlement to benefits under section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act who would otherwise be excluded under that section.

Regulations 3 to 11 make consequential amendments to the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967); the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207); the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1968); the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1971); the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1814); the Social Security (Invalid Care Allowance) Regulations 1976 (S.I. 1976/409); the Social Security (Severe Disablement Allowance) Regulations 1984 (S.I. 1984/1303); the Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2740) and the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2890).

Regulation 12 makes provision for transitional arrangements and savings.

Regulation 13 makes provision for revocations.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.