These Regulations amend the Social Security (Hospital In-Patients) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1975 to provide for a decrease, from 39 per cent. to 38 per cent. of the basic retirement pension, in the percentage by which the personal rate of certain benefits is reduced in certain circumstances in respect of persons who receive continuous free in-patient treatment in a hospital or similar institution for more than 6 weeks but not more than 52 weeks.

These Regulations correspond to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.