Housing benefit and community charge benefits

Consultation with representative organisations
176
1
Subject to subsection (2) below, before making—
a
regulations relating to housing benefit or
council tax benefit
(other than regulations of which the effect is to increase any amount specified in regulations previously made);
aa
regulations under section 69 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000;
b
an order under
any provision of Part VIII above
,
the Secretary of State shall consult with organisations appearing to him to be representative of the authorities concerned.
2
Nothing in subsection (1) above shall require the Secretary of State to undertake consultations if—
a
it appears to him that by reason of the urgency of the matter it is inexpedient to do so; or
b
the organisations have agreed that consultations should not be undertaken.
3
Where the Secretary of State has undertaken such consultations, he may make any regulations or order to which the consultations relate without completing the consultations if it appears to him that by reason of the urgency of the matter it is expedient to do so.
Words in s. 176(1)(a) substituted (1.4.1993) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 118(4), Sch. 9 para. 23
S. 176(1)(aa) inserted (1.11.2000 for specified purposes, 2.7.2001 in so far as not already in force) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19), ss. 69, 86; S.I. 2000/2950, art. 3(a); S.I. 2001/1252, art. 2(2)(b)
Words in s. 176(1)(b) substituted (1.4.1997) by Housing Act 1996 (c. 52), s. 232(3), Sch. 13 para. 3(4); S.I. 1997/618, art. 2(1) (with Sch.)
Unreliable heading.
S. 176(1)(a)(b) repealed (1.4.2013 in so far as relate to the abolition of council tax benefit) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/358, art. 8(c), Sch. 4 (with arts. 9, 10, Sch. 5)
S. 176 excluded (16.3.2016 for specified purposes, 7.11.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (c. 7), ss. 8(10), 36(3); S.I. 2016/910, reg. 2)
S. 176 excluded by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 96A(8) (as inserted (16.3.2016 for specified purposes, 7.11.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (c. 7), ss. 9(1), 36(3); S.I. 2016/910, reg. 2)