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.