The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force further provisions of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 as follows.

Provisions relating to changes to the child support system are commenced for the purpose of making regulations and Acts of Sederunt on 10th November 2000 (article 2(1)).

Certain provisions relating to those changes which are to take effect in advance of the overall changes to the child support system are commenced from 1st January 2001 (article 2(2)). These concern the introduction of a statutory compensation scheme in relation to the current child support system, the ability to prescribe benefits for the purpose of Schedule 1 to the Act for flat rate cases and the ability to modify the provisions on variations for applications made when a maintenance calculation is in force.

Article 2(3) commences an amendment to section 33 of the Act to clarify what constitutes failure to make a payment when a court is considering a liability order.

Provisions relating to appeal rights and time limits for appeals in relation to war pensions are commenced for the purpose of making regulations on 15th November 2000 and fully on 9th April 2001 (article 2(4)).

Article 2(5) commences on 1st January 2001 provisions relating to the matters which are relevant for consideration on an appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals and to enable the constitution of the Central Advisory Committee on war pensions to be amended.

Provisions concerning the constitution and procedure of the Pension Appeals Tribunal are commenced from 9th April 2001 (article 2(6)).

The impact on business of the commencement provisions in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 is detailed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (as revised) relating to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill (which was introduced in the House of Commons on 1st December 1999). A copy of that Assessment has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and can be obtained from the Department of Social Security, Regulatory Impact Unit, 3rd Floor, the Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.