34.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the discount recovery rules must set out the claim windows, by specifying the first and last day of each claim window, such that—
(a)the first claim window ends not more than 15 days after the scheme introduction date;
(b)each other claim window starts on the day after the previous claim window ends;
(c)the last claim window starts not less than 24 months after the scheme period ends (but this is without prejudice to the determination by the Secretary of State of the reconciliation run-off date);
(d)two claim windows start in each calendar month (except the month in which the first claim window starts, if it starts after the 10th day of that month).
[F1(2) In respect of the period after 14th April 2023—
(a)the discount recovery rules may provide—
(i)for the dates of claim windows to be determined and published by the Secretary of State at intervals determined by the Secretary of State, and
(ii)that after the Secretary of State has given notice under regulation 29(5) of the last reconciliation run-off date in respect of any supplier, the Secretary of State need not determine and publish the dates of any claim window that starts after that date;
(b)in determining the dates of claim windows under paragraph (a)(i), the Secretary of State may allow up to 6 months to elapse between the dates on which successive claims windows start;
(c)the requirement in paragraph (1)(b) does not apply, but each claim window must be a period of at least 8 business days.
(3) The dates of claim windows determined in accordance with a rule made under paragraph (2)(a)(i) must be published at least 15 days in advance of the end of each such claim window.]
Textual Amendments
F1Reg. 34(2)(3) substituted (26.4.2023) by The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/454), regs. 1(1), 83 (with regs. 3, 4, 71)
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 34 in force at 1.11.2022, see reg. 1(1)