These Regulations are made by the Treasury in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 5(1) and (4) to (6), 9A(7) and (8), 9B(4) and (5) and 175(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
1 (“the
Contributions Act”), sections 5(1) and (4) to (6), 9A(7) and (8), 9B(4) and (5) and 171(3) and (10) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992
2 (“the
Northern Ireland Contributions Act”), sections 141(4) and (5) and 142(2) and (3) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992
3 (“the
Administration Act”), section 129 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992
4 (“the
Northern Ireland Administration Act”), section 2(2) and (3) of the Social Security Act 1993
5 (“the
1993 Act”) and article 4(3) and (4) of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1993
6 (“the
1993 Order”).
Regulation 2 of these Regulations is made as a result of the Treasury carrying out in the tax year 2015-16 a review of the general level of earnings in Great Britain in accordance with section 141(1) and (2) of the
Administration Act7.
The Treasury have determined that, in relation to Great Britain, regulation 2 should be made under section 141 of the Administration Act, to amend Part 1 of the Contributions Act by altering the upper limit of profits to be taken into account for Class 4 contributions.
Regulation 2 of these Regulations 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 Northern Ireland Administration Act.
With a view to adjusting the level at which the National Insurance Fund stands for the time being, and having regard to estimated benefit expenditure for the financial year ending with 31st March 2017, the Treasury think it expedient that regulation 6 of these Regulations should be made under section 2(2) of the 1993 Act.
With a view to adjusting the level at which the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund stands for the time being, and having regard to estimated benefit expenditure for the financial year ending with 31st March 2017, the Treasury think it expedient that regulation 7 of these Regulations should be made under article 4(3) of the 1993 Order.
A draft of these Regulations was laid before Parliament in accordance with the provisions of section 176(1)(zb) and (a) of the
Contributions Act8, section 172(11ZB) and (11A) of the
Northern Ireland Contributions Act9, sections 141(3) and 190(1)(a) of the
Administration Act10, section 166(10A) of the
Northern Ireland Administration Act11, section 2(8) of the
1993 Act and article 4(8) of the
1993 Order12 and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.