(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1977 (S.R. 1977 No. 351), the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008 No. 280), the Employment and Support Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016 No. 219), the Personal Independence Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016 No. 217) and the Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016 No. 216).
The amendments will enable medical examinations and consultations to be conducted by telephone or by video (in addition to existing channels) as part of the process for determining entitlement to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit.
These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding 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.