The Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2008

Made4th March 2008

Coming into force6th April 2008

As a result of carrying out in the tax year 2007-08 a review of the general level of earnings in Great Britain in accordance with section 141(1) and (2) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (“the Administration Act”)1, the Treasury have determined that an Order should be made under that section amending Part 1 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 19922 by altering the rates of Class 2 and Class 3 contributions, the amount of earnings below which an earner may be excepted from liability for Class 2 contributions and the lower and upper limits of profits to be taken into account for Class 4 contributions.

This Order makes provision for Northern Ireland, which corresponds to that mentioned in relation to Great Britain in the preceding recital, in accordance with section 129 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (“the Northern Ireland Administration Act”)3.

A draft of this Order was laid before Parliament in accordance with the provisions of sections 141(3) and 190(1)(a) of the Administration Act4 and section 166(10A) of the Northern Ireland Administration Act5 and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Accordingly the Treasury make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 141(4) and (5) and 142(2) and (3) of the Administration Act6 and sections 129 and 165(11A) of the Northern Ireland Administration Act7 and now exercisable by them8.

Citation, commencement and interpretation1

1

This Order may be cited as the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2008 and shall come into force on 6th April 2008.

2

In this Order—

“the Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992; and
“the Northern Ireland Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 19929.

Rate of and small earnings exception from Class 2 contributions2

In both section 11 of the Act10 and section 11 of the Northern Ireland Act11 (Class 2 contributions)—

a

in subsection (1) for “£2.20” substitute “£2.30”; and

b

in subsection (4) (small earnings exception) for “£4,635” substitute “£4,825”.

Amount of Class 3 contributions3

In both section 13(1) of the Act12 and section 13(1) of the Northern Ireland Act (amount of Class 3 contributions)13 for “£7.80” substitute “£8.10”.

Lower and upper limits for Class 4 contributions4

In each of sections 15(3), 18(1) and 18(1A) of the Act14 and sections 15(3), 18(1) and 18(1A) of the Northern Ireland Act15 (Class 4 contributions recoverable under the Income Tax Acts and under regulations)—

a

for “£5,225” (lower limit) in each place where it appears, substitute “£5,435”; and

b

for “£34,840” (upper limit) in each place where it appears, substitute “£40,040”.

Alan CampbellSteve McCabeTwo of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury4th March 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order increases the rates of Class 2 and Class 3 contributions specified in sections 11(1) and 13(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ( “the Act”) from £2.20 to £2.30 and from £7.80 to £8.10. It also increases the amount of earnings specified in section 11(4) of the Act, below which an earner may be excepted from liability for Class 2 contributions from £4,635 to £4,825 (Articles 2 and 3).

The Order also increases, from £5,225 to £5,435 and from £34,840 to £40,040 respectively, the lower and upper limits of profits specified in sections 15 and 18, between which Class 4 contributions are payable at the main Class 4 percentage rate (Article 4).

Articles 2 to 4 of the Order also make provision for Northern Ireland corresponding to that in the preceding two paragraphs (the section numbers of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 are the same as those in the Act).

In accordance with section 142(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, a copy of the report by the Government Actuary (Cm. 7312), giving his opinion on the likely effect on the National Insurance Fund of the making of the Order, insofar as it amends sections 11(1), 11(4), 13(1), 15(3), 18(1) and 18(1A) of the Act, was laid before Parliament with the draft of this Order.

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies.