2008 No. 667

Social Security

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2008

Made

Laid before Parliament

Coming into force

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 90, 113(1), 122(1) and 175(1) and (3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 19921 and sections 5(1)(p), 155(3), 189(1) and (4) and 191 of the Social Security Administration Act 19922.

As these Regulations contain only provisions in consequence of an order under sections 150 and 150A3 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 there is no requirement to consult the Social Security Advisory Committee in respect of them4.

Citation, commencement and interpretation1

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2008 and shall come into force on 7th April 2008.

2

In these Regulations, “the Up-rating Order” means the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 20085.

Exceptions relating to payment of additional benefit by virtue of the Up-rating Order2

Section 155(3) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (effect of alteration of rates of benefit under Parts II to V of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992) shall not apply if a question arises as to either—

a

the weekly rate at which the benefit is payable by virtue of the Up-rating Order, or

b

whether the conditions for receipt of the benefit at the altered rate are satisfied,

until that question has been determined in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act 19986.

Persons not ordinarily resident in Great Britain3

Regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 19757 (application of disqualification in respect of up-rating of benefit) shall apply to any additional benefit payable by virtue of the Up-rating Order.

Amendment of the Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations 19774

In paragraph 2B of Schedule 2 to the Social Security Benefit (Dependency) Regulations 19778 (increase of carer’s allowance for child dependants)—

a

for “£180”, in both places where it occurs, substitute “£185”; and

b

for “£24” substitute “£25”.

Amendment of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19875

In paragraph 4(2A) of Schedule 9 to the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 19879 (deductions from benefit and direct payment to third parties) for “£20.45”, in each place where it occurs, substitute “£21.15”.

Revocation6

The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 200710 are revoked.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Mike O’BrienMinister of State,Department for Work and Pensions
EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

This instrument contains only provisions in consequence of an order under sections 150 and 150A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5). Accordingly, by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to that Act, the Secretary of State has not referred these Regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

Regulation 2 provides that where a question has arisen about the effect of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/632) (“the Up-rating Order”) on a benefit already in payment, the altered rates will not apply until that question is determined by the Secretary of State, an appeal tribunal or a Commissioner.

Regulation 3 applies the provisions of regulation 5 of the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975 (S.I. 1975/563) so as to restrict the application of the increases specified in the Up-rating Order in cases where the beneficiary lives abroad.

Regulation 4 raises from £180 to £185 and from £24 to £25 the earnings limits for child dependency increases payable with a carer’s allowance. These increases were abolished by sections 1(3)(e) and 60 of, and Schedule 6 to, the Tax Credits Act 2002 (c.21) but are saved for transitional cases by virtue of article 3 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/938).

Regulation 5 increases from £20.45 to £21.15 the amount allowed for personal expenses for a person in accommodation for which benefit is paid to his accommodation provider.

Regulation 6 revokes the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/775).

A full impact assessment has not been published for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.