1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Social Security (2002 Act) (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002.
(2) In this Order “the Act” means the Social Security Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.
2. The day appointed for the coming into operation of –
(a)paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Act, paragraph 5 of that Schedule in so far as it relates to that paragraph and section 8(1) in so far as it relates to those paragraphs, is 24th November 2002;
(b)the provisions of the Act specified in Part I of the Schedule in so far as not already in operation, is 24th November 2002; and
(c)the provisions of the Act specified in Part II of the Schedule, is 6th April 2003.
3.—(1) The amendments to the Contributions and Benefits Act made by sections 1, 3 and 4(1)(b) and (2) of the Act and the repeal specified in Part I of the Schedule shall take effect only in relation to a woman whose expected week of confinement commences on or after 6th April 2003.
(2) The amendment to section 162 of the Contributions and Benefits Act made by section 2 of the Act (rate of statutory maternity pay) shall not have effect in relation to a woman –
(a)whose maternity pay period commences before 6th April 2003;
(b)who is entitled to statutory maternity pay at the rate of £75 a week immediately before that date; and
(c)who would be entitled to statutory maternity pay at a rate lower than £75 a week if the amendment had effect in relation to her.
(3) The amendment to section 35A of the Contributions and Benefits Act made by section 4(1)(a) of the Act (rate of maternity allowance) shall not have effect in relation to a woman –
(a)whose maternity allowance period commences before 6th April 2003;
(b)who is entitled to maternity allowance at the rate of £75 a week immediately before that date; and
(c)who would be entitled to maternity allowance at a rate lower than £75 a week if the amendment had effect in relation to her.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Social Development on 22nd November 2002.
L.S.
John O'Neill
Senior Officer of the
Department for Social Development