These Regulations are made following a review under section 96A of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5) and amend the sums specified as the annual limit for the purposes of the benefit cap.

Regulation 1 brings these Regulations into force for all purposes on 1st April 2023 subject to the provisions in regulation 1(3) and (4). The amended annual limits will only apply to an award of universal credit in relation to each assessment period commencing on or after 10th April 2023. For an award of housing benefit in respect of which rent is paid at intervals of a week or multiples thereof, the amended annual limits will only apply from 3rd April 2023.

Regulation 2 amends the annual limit as set out in section 96(5A) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

Regulation 3 makes a consequential amendment to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/376) as, in order to calculate and apply the benefit cap, the annual limit is also specified in the secondary legislation.

Regulation 4 makes a consequential amendment to the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/213) as, in order to calculate and apply the benefit cap, the annual limit is also specified in the secondary legislation.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.