The Police Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2016

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make various amendments to existing instruments concerning police pensions in Scotland.

Regulations 3, 7, 8 and 11 remedy errors which occurred when the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 (“the 1987 Regulations”) were amended in 2013 in consequence of the creation of the National Crime Agency. The 1987 Regulations apply throughout Great Britain and the amendments made in 2013 (by way of an Order made by a Home Office Minister) failed to take adequate account of Scottish terminology.

Regulations 4, 9, 10, 12 to 15, 24, 25, 28, 32 and 33 make amendments consequential on the commencement of the legislation allowing same sex marriage in Scotland.

Regulations 5, 6, 26, 27, 29 and 30 amend the 1987 Regulations and the Police (Injury Benefit) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (“the Injury Benefit Regulations”) so as to allow widows or surviving civil partners who are in receipt of certain pensions or gratuities under those Regulations to retain them following upon remarriage, forming a civil partnership or starting to cohabit. Pensions and gratuities which have been withdrawn due to existing legislation in this connection are reinstated with effect from 1st October 2015.

Regulations 17 to 22 make various amendments to the Police Pensions (Additional Voluntary Contributions) Regulations 1991.

Regulation 31 makes a minor amendment of the Injury Benefit Regulations so as to authorise a deduction from an injury benefit award in respect of employment and support allowance payable to the recipient of the award.