EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This is the fifth Commencement Order made under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (“the Act”).

Article 2(1) brings into force section 69 of the Act which amends sections 130A (appropriate maximum housing benefit) and 176(1) (parliamentary control) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (c. 4) for the purpose only of making regulations on 27th November 2012 and on 1st January 2013 for all other purposes.

Article 2(2) brings into force section 96 of the Act which introduces the benefit cap, on 27th November 2012 for the purpose only of making regulations and for all other purposes on 15th April 2013.

Article 2(3) and (4) bring into force section 97 of the Act which makes supplementary provision relating to the benefit cap. Paragraph (3) brings into force subsections (1) to (4) of that section on 27th November 2012 and paragraph (4) brings into force on subsections (4) and (5), which respectively make amendments to the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5) and the Social Security Act 1998 (c.12) on 15th April 2013.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private sector or civil society organisations.