2016 No. 242
Social Security

The Social Security Benefits (Adjustment of Amounts and Thresholds) Regulations 2016

Made
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 123(1)(a) and (d), 130A(2), 135(1), 137(1) and 175(1), (3) and (4) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 19921, sections 4(5), 35(1) and 36(2) and (4) of the Jobseekers Act 19952, sections 2(3)(b), 3(7), 12(2)(b) and (c) and 17(1) of the State Pension Credit Act 20023 and sections 4(2), 24(1) and 25(2), (3) and (5) of the Welfare Reform Act 20074.
In accordance with section 173(1)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 19925, the Secretary of State has obtained the agreement of the Social Security Advisory Committee that proposals in respect of these Regulations need not be referred to it.

Citation and commencement1.

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Benefits (Adjustment of Amounts and Thresholds) Regulations 2016.

(2)

These Regulations shall come into force for the purposes of—

(a)

this regulation, on 1st April 2016;

(b)

regulation 2, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 11th April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Income Support (General) Regulations 19876;

(c)

regulation 3, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 11th April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 19967;

(d)

regulation 4, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 11th April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the State Pension Credit Regulations 20028;

(e)

regulation 5, in relation to a case where rent is payable at intervals of a week or any multiple thereof, on 4th April 2016, and in relation to any other case, on 1st April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “rent” has the same meaning as in the Housing Benefit Regulations 20069;

(f)

regulation 6, in relation to a case where rent is payable at intervals of a week or any multiple thereof, on 4th April 2016, and in relation to any other case, on 1st April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “rent” has the same meaning as in the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 200610; and

(g)

regulation 7, in so far as it relates to a particular beneficiary, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for that beneficiary on or after 11th April 2016, and for the purpose of this sub-paragraph “benefit week” has the same meaning as in the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 200811.

Amendment of the Income Support (General) Regulations 19872.

(1)

The Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 are amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 (applicable amounts: weekly amounts of premiums specified in Part III) in column (2) for “£116.00” in sub-paragraphs (2)12, (2A) and (3) substitute “£122.70”.

(3)

In paragraph 18 of Schedule 313 (housing costs: non-dependant deductions)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in sub-paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in sub-paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in sub-paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in sub-paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

Amendment of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 19963.

(1)

The Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 are amended as follows.

(2)

In Schedule 1 (applicable amounts)—

(a)

in paragraph 2014 (weekly amounts of premiums specified in Part III) in the column headed “Amount”—

(i)

for “£78.10”, “£116.00” and “£116.00” in sub-paragraph (2) substitute “£82.50”, “£122.70” and “£122.70” respectively;

(ii)

for “£116.00” in sub-paragraph (3) substitute “£122.70”; and

(iii)

for “£78.10” and “£116.00” in sub-paragraph (4) substitute “£82.50” and “£122.70” respectively;

(b)

in paragraph 20M15 (weekly amounts of premiums specified in Part IVA) in the column headed “Amount” for “£116.00” in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute “£122.70”.

(3)

In paragraph 17 of Schedule 216 (housing costs: non-dependant deductions)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in sub-paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in sub-paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in sub-paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in sub-paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

Amendment of the State Pension Credit Regulations 20024.

(1)

The State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 717 (savings credit) in paragraph (2) for “£126.50” and “£201.80” substitute “£133.82” and “£212.97” respectively.

(3)

In paragraph 14 of Schedule II18 (persons residing with the claimant)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in sub-paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in sub-paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in sub-paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in sub-paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

(4)

In paragraph 1 of Schedule III19 (polygamous marriages)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (5) for “£230.85” and “£79.65” substitute “£237.55” and “£81.95” respectively; and

(b)

in sub-paragraph (7) for “£201.80” substitute “£212.97”.

Amendment of the Housing Benefit Regulations 20065.

Regulation 7420 (non-dependant deductions) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 is amended as follows—

(a)

in paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

Amendment of the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 20066.

(1)

The Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 are amended as follows.

(2)

In regulation 5521 (non-dependant deductions)—

(a)

in paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

(3)

In paragraph 1 of Schedule 322 (applicable amounts: personal allowances) in column (2)—

(a)

for “£151.20” and “£166.05” in sub-paragraph (1) substitute “£155.60” and “£168.70” respectively;

(b)

for “£230.85” and “£248.30” in sub-paragraph (2) substitute “£237.55” and “£252.30” respectively;

(c)

for “£230.85” and “£79.65” in sub-paragraph (3) substitute “£237.55” and “£81.95” respectively; and

(d)

for “£248.30” and “£82.25” in sub-paragraph (4) substitute “£252.30” and “£83.60” respectively.

Amendment of the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 20087.

(1)

The Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 are amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 11 of Schedule 423 (weekly amount of premiums specified in Part 2) in column (2)—

(a)

for “£49.05”, “£41.90” and “£78.10” in sub-paragraph (1)(a) substitute “£53.45”, “£46.30” and “£82.50” respectively; and

(b)

for “£86.95”, “£79.80” and “£116.00” in sub-paragraph (1)(b) substitute “£93.65”, “£86.50” and “£122.70” respectively.

(3)

In paragraph 19 of Schedule 624 (housing costs: non-dependant deductions)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (1)(a) for “£93.80” substitute “£94.50”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (1)(b) for “£14.55” substitute “£14.65”;

(c)

in sub-paragraph (2)(a) for “£129.00” substitute “£133.00”;

(d)

in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “£129.00”, “£189.00” and “£33.40” substitute “£133.00”, “£195.00” and “£33.65” respectively;

(e)

in sub-paragraph (2)(c) for “£189.00”, “£246.00” and “£45.85” substitute “£195.00”, “£253.00” and “£46.20” respectively;

(f)

in sub-paragraph (2)(d) for “£246.00”, “£328.00” and “£75.05” substitute “£253.00”, “£338.00” and “£75.60” respectively; and

(g)

in sub-paragraph (2)(e) for “£328.00”, “£408.00” and “£85.45” substitute “£338.00”, “£420.00” and “£86.10” respectively.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Altmann
Minister of State,
Department for Work and Pensions
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967), the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207), the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1792), the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/213), the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/214) and the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/794). They make changes to several social security benefits that would more usually be included in an up-rating order.

Regulations 2, 3, 6 and 7 amend the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987, the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996, the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 and the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 so as to increase the pensioner premiums, change the income bands for non-dependant deductions and increase the amounts of the non-dependant deductions themselves.

Regulation 4 amends the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 so as to increase the amounts prescribed for the savings credit thresholds, including in the case of a polygamous marriage, and to increase the standard minimum guarantee in the case of a polygamous marriage. It also changes the income bands for non-dependant deductions and increases the amounts of the non-dependant deductions themselves.

Regulation 5 amends the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 to change the income bands for non-dependant deductions and to increase amounts of the non-dependant deductions themselves.

An Impact Assessment has not been published for this instrument as it has no new impact on business or civil society organisations.