The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2021

2021 No. 157

Social Security

The Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments and National Insurance Funds Payments) Regulations 2021

Made15th February 2021

Coming into force6th April 2021

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 19921 (“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 19922 (“the Northern Ireland Contributions Act”), sections 141(4) and (5) and 142(2) and (3) of the Social Security Administration Act 19923 (“the Administration Act”), section 129 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 19924 (“the Northern Ireland Administration Act”), section 2(2) and (3) of the Social Security Act 19935 (“the 1993 Act”) and article 4(3) and (4) of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 19936 (“the 1993 Order”).

Regulations 3 to 5 are made as a result of the Treasury carrying out in the tax year 2020-21 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, regulations 3 to 5 should be made under section 141 of the Administration Act to amend Part 1 of the Contributions Act by altering the small profits threshold for Class 2 contributions, the amount of a Class 3 contribution and the lower limit of profits to be taken into account for Class 4 contributions. The Treasury have determined that, in relation to Great Britain, there should be no alteration to the rate of Class 2 contributions.

Regulations 3 to 5 of these Regulations make 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 2022, the Treasury think it expedient that regulation 7 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 2022, the Treasury think it expedient that regulation 8 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)(za), (zb) and (a) of the Contributions Act8, section 172(11ZA), (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.