The Social Security Investigation Powers (Arrangements with Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007

Citation, commencement, interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Investigation Powers (Arrangements with Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 and shall come into force on 1st March 2007.

(2) In these Regulations, “the 1992 Act” means the Social Security Administration Act 1992(1).

Amendment of Schedule 2 to the Social Security (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1976

2.—(1) The Social Security (Northern Ireland Reciprocal Arrangements) Regulations 1976(2) are amended as follows.

(2) In Part I of Schedule 2 (adaptations of certain provisions of the Social Security Act 1975)—

(a) in column 1, omit the reference to section 144(2) of the Social Security Act 1975;

(b) in column 2, omit the reference to section 135(2) of the Social Security (Northern Ireland Act) 1975; and

(c) in column 3, omit “Powers of inspectors”.

Single system of investigation powers; adaptations to the 1992 Act

3.—(1) The arrangements for a single system of social security investigation powers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland set out in the Memorandum reproduced in Schedule 1 shall have effect in Great Britain.

(2) The 1992 Act shall have effect subject to such adaptations as may be required for the purpose of giving effect to those arrangements.

(3) In particular (and without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2) and so far as may be required for the purpose mentioned in that paragraph)—

(a) an act, omission or event referred to in a provision of the Northern Ireland legislation specified in column 2 of the table in Schedule 2 shall be deemed to be an act, omission or event under the provision of the 1992 Act specified in the corresponding paragraph of column 1 of that table; and

(b) in the provisions specified in column 1 of that table—

(i) references to the Secretary of State shall be construed as including references to the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland, and

(ii) references to an authority administering housing benefit or council tax benefit shall be construed as including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

James Plaskitt

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,

Department for Work and Pensions

5th February 2007