(This note is not part of the Order)
This Commencement Order brings into force section 112 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c.5) (prosecution powers of local authorities). Section 112(1) and (2) insert into the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5) a new section 116ZA, which limits local authorities’ powers to prosecute housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud.
Article 3 of this Order brings into force section 112(2) of the Act, and section 112(1) of the Act in so far as it relates to section 112(2), for the purpose of making regulations under section 116ZA(8) to define “an investigation in respect of a benefit offence”.
Article 4(a) brings into force section 112(1) and (2) for all remaining purposes.
Article 4(b) brings into force section 112(3) to (6). These provisions make a number of consequential amendments to section 116A (local authority powers to prosecute benefit fraud) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.