PART 2SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PENSIONS

Rates or amounts of certain benefits under the Contributions and Benefits Act3.

(1)

From and including the respective dates specified in article 7, the sums specified in paragraph (2) shall be increased so that Schedule 4 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (contributory periodical benefits, non-contributory periodical benefits, increases for dependants and rates of industrial injuries benefit), except paragraph 5 of Part III of that Schedule (guardian’s allowance), has effect as set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.

(2)

The sums mentioned in paragraph (1) are the sums specified in Parts I, III, IV and V of Schedule 4 to the Contributions and Benefits Act except in—

(a)

Part III, the sum specified for age addition to a pension of any category and otherwise under section 79 of that Act;

(b)

Part IV, the sums specified in column (2) (increase for qualifying child); and

(c)

Part V, the sums specified for the increase in disablement pension for dependent children and death benefit allowance in respect of children and qualifying young persons27.

Increase in rates or amounts of certain pensions and allowances under the Contributions and Benefits Act4.

(1)

The sums specified in paragraphs (2) to (5) shall be increased from and including the respective dates specified in article 7.

(2)

The sums falling to be calculated under paragraph 13(4) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (calculation of weekly rate of a beneficiary’s retirement allowance) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(3)

In section 44(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act28 (basic pension in a Category A retirement pension)—

(a)

for “£109.50” substitute “£110.05”; and

(b)

for “£134.25” substitute “£137.60”.

(4)

It is directed29 that the sums which are—

(a)

additional pensions in long-term benefits calculated by reference to any final relevant year earlier than the tax year 2020-2021;

(b)

increases in the rates of retirement pensions under Schedule 5 to the Contributions and Benefits Act30 (pension increase or lump sum where entitlement to retirement pension is deferred);

(c)

lump sums to which surviving spouses or civil partners will become entitled under paragraph 7A of that Schedule31 on becoming entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension (entitlement to lump sum where pensioner’s deceased spouse or civil partner has deferred entitlement); and

(d)

payable to a pensioner as part of their Category A or Category B retirement pension by virtue of an order made under section 126A of the Social Security Act 197532, section 63 of the Social Security Act 198633 or section 150(1)(e) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992,

shall in each case be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(5)

The sums which, under—

(a)

section 55A and 55AA of the Contributions and Benefits Act34, are shared additional pensions; and

(b)

paragraph 2 of Schedule 5A to the Contributions and Benefits Act35, are increases in the rates of such pensions,

shall in each case be increased by 0.5 per cent.

Increase in rates or amount of certain benefits under the Pension Schemes Act5.

(1)

It is directed36 that the sums specified in paragraph (2) shall be increased from and including the respective dates specified in article 7.

(2)

Sums which are payable by virtue of section 15(1) of the Pension Schemes Act (which provides for increases in a person’s guaranteed minimum pension if payment of their occupational pension is postponed after they attain pensionable age) to a person who is also entitled to a Category A or Category B retirement pension (including sums payable by virtue of section 17(2)37 and (3) of that Act) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent where the increase under section 15(1) is attributable to earnings factors for the tax year 1987-88 and earlier tax years38.

Increase in rates or amounts of certain pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act6.

(1)

The sums specified in paragraphs (2) to (4) shall be increased from and including the date specified in article 7(10).

(2)

In regulation 1A of the State Pension Regulations 201539 (full rate of state pension) for “£175.20” substitute “£179.60”.

(3)

It is directed40 that the sums which are increases under section 17 of the Pensions Act in the rates of state pensions under Part 1 of that Act shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(4)

The amounts which, under—

(a)

section 9 of the Pensions Act, are survivor’s pensions based on inheritance of deferred old state pension;

(b)

paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 2 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of state pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act at the transitional rate which exceed the full rate;

(c)

paragraphs 5(3) and 6 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of survivor’s pensions which either alone or in combination with one or more other pensions under Part 1 of that Act exceed the full rate; and

(d)

paragraphs 5(3) and 6 of Schedule 9 to the Pensions Act, are the amounts of shared state pensions under Part 1 of the Pensions Act which either alone or in combination with one or more other pensions under Part 1 of that Act exceed the full rate,

shall in each case be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(5)

For the purpose of this article, “old state pension” has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Pensions Act.

Dates on which sums specified for rates or amounts of benefits in articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14 are changed by this Order7.

(1)

Paragraph (7), which is subject to the provisions of paragraph (9), and paragraphs (2) to (6), (8), (10) and (11) specify the date on which the changes made by this Order in the sums specified for rates or amounts of benefit in articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 14 shall take effect for each case.

(2)

Any increases in the sums mentioned in articles 3, 4, 12 and 13 for Category A, Category B, Category C and Category D retirement pension and graduated retirement benefit together with, where appropriate, any increases for dependants, shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

(3)

The increases in the sums mentioned in article 5 shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

(4)

Any increases in the sums specified for the rate of—

(a)

attendance allowance, and

(b)

carer’s allowance (except in a case where the Secretary of State has made arrangements for it to be paid on a Wednesday)

shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

(5)

Any increases in the sums specified for—

(a)

the rate of—

(i)

carer’s allowance in a case where the Secretary of State has made arrangements for it to be paid on a Wednesday,

(ii)

disablement benefit,

(iii)

maximum disablement gratuity under paragraph 9(2) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act,

(iv)

industrial death benefit by way of widow’s and widower’s pension, and

(v)

the maximum of the aggregate of weekly benefit payable for successive accidents, under section 107(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act; and

(b)

any increases in—

(i)

the benefits referred to in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iv) of sub-paragraph (a) in respect of dependants, and

(ii)

disablement pension,

shall take effect on 14th April 2021.

(6)

In any case where a person’s weekly rate of Category A or Category B retirement pension falls to be increased under the provisions of section 47(1) or 48C(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act41 by reference to the weekly rate of invalidity allowance or age addition to long-term incapacity benefit to which the person was previously entitled, any increase in such sum shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

(7)

The changes in the sums specified for the rate of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance together with, where appropriate, any increases for dependants, shall take effect on 15th April 2021.

(8)

The increases in the sums falling to be calculated in accordance with paragraph 13(4) of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act (retirement allowance) shall take effect on 7th April 2021.

(9)

Any increase in the sum specified in article 26(b) of this Order, in so far as that sum is relevant for the purposes of establishing whether the rate of any benefit is not to be increased in respect of an adult dependant because the earnings of the dependant exceed a specified amount42, shall take effect—

(a)

except in a case where sub-paragraph (b) applies, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for the beneficiary on or after 12th April 2021;

(b)

in a case where regulation 7(b) of the Computation of Earnings Regulations (date on which earnings are treated as paid) applies, on the first day of the first benefit week to commence for the beneficiary on or after 1st April 2021,

and for the purpose of this paragraph, “benefit week” has the same meaning as in regulation 2(1) of the Computation of Earnings Regulations.

(10)

Any increases in the sums mentioned in article 6 for state pension under Part 1 of the Pensions Act shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

(11)

The increase in the sum mentioned in article 14 shall take effect on 12th April 2021.

Earnings Limits8.

In section 80(4) of the Contributions and Benefits Act43 (earnings limits in respect of child dependency increases)—

(a)

“£245.00”, in both places where it occurs, remains unchanged; and

(b)

“£33.00” remains unchanged.

Statutory Sick Pay9.

In section 157(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act44 (rate of payment of statutory sick pay) for “£95.85” substitute “£96.35”.

Statutory Maternity Pay10.

In regulation 6 of the Statutory Maternity Pay (General) Regulations 198645 (prescribed rate of statutory maternity pay) for “£151.20” substitute “£151.97”.

Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay11.

(1)

In the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) Regulations 200246—

(a)

in regulation 2(a) (weekly rate of payment of statutory paternity pay) for “£151.20” substitute “£151.97”; and

(b)

in regulation 3(a) (weekly rate of payment of statutory adoption pay) for “£151.20” substitute “£151.97”.

(2)

In regulation 40(1)(a) of the Statutory Shared Parental Pay (General) Regulations 201447 (weekly rate of payment of statutory shared parental pay) for “£151.20” substitute “£151.97”.

(3)

In regulation 20(1)(a) of the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) Regulations 202048 (weekly rate of payment) for “£151.20” substitute “£151.97”.

Increase in rate of graduated retirement benefit12.

(1)

In section 36(1) of the National Insurance Act 196549 (graduated retirement benefit)—

(a)

the sum of “14.40” pence shall be increased by 0.5 per cent; and

(b)

the reference to that sum shall have effect as a reference to “14.47” pence.

(2)

The sums which are the increases of graduated retirement benefit under Schedule 2 to the Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) (No. 2) Regulations 197850 (increases for deferred retirement) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(3)

The sums which are lump sums to which surviving spouses or civil partners will become entitled under Schedule 1 to the Social Security (Graduated Retirement Benefit) Regulations 200551 (increases of graduated retirement benefit and lump sums) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.

(4)

The sums which are the additions under section 37(1) of the National Insurance Act 1965 (additions for widows and widowers) shall be increased by 0.5 per cent.

Increase in amount of Category C retirement pension under the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 197913.

In regulation 11(3) of the Social Security (Widow’s Benefit and Retirement Pensions) Regulations 197952 (Category C retirement pension for widows of men over pensionable age on 5th July 1948) for “£80.45” substitute “£82.45”.

Maximum additional pension14.

In regulation 3A of the Social Security (Maximum Additional Pension) Regulations 201053 (prescribed maximum additional pension for survivors who become entitled on or after 6th April 2016) for “£179.41” substitute “£180.31”.

Increase in rates of Disability Living Allowance15.

In regulation 4 of the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 199154 (rate of benefit)—

(a)

in paragraph (1)(a) for “£89.15” substitute “£89.60”;

(b)

in paragraph (1)(b) for “£59.70” substitute “£60.00”;

(c)

in paragraph (1)(c) for “£23.60” substitute “£23.70”;

(d)

in paragraph (2)(a) for “£62.25” substitute “£62.55”; and

(e)

in paragraph (2)(b) for “£23.60” substitute “£23.70”.

Increase in rates of Personal Independence Payment16.

In regulation 24 of the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) Regulations 201355 (rate of personal independence payment)—

(a)

in paragraph (1)(a) for “£59.70” substitute “£60.00”;

(b)

in paragraph (1)(b) for “£89.15” substitute “£89.60”;

(c)

in paragraph (2)(a) for “£23.60” substitute “£23.70”; and

(d)

in paragraph (2)(b) for “£62.25” substitute “£62.55”.

Rates of age addition17.

(1)

Subject to paragraph (2), in regulation 10(2) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Regulations 199456 (increase in rate of incapacity benefit where beneficiary is under prescribed age on the qualifying date)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (a) for “£23.30” substitute “£23.40”; and

(b)

in sub-paragraph (b) for “£11.70” substitute “£11.75”.

(2)

In the case of a claimant entitled to long-term incapacity benefit who was subject to regulation 2(3) of the Employment and Support Allowance (Up-rating Modification) (Transitional) Regulations 200857 the sums specified in regulation 10(2)(a) and (b) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) Regulations 1994 shall be increased to “£12.15” and “£6.75” respectively.

Rates of transitional invalidity allowance18.

(1)

Subject to paragraph (2), in regulation 18(2) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Transitional) Regulations 199558 (rate of long-term incapacity benefit in transitional cases)—

(a)

in sub-paragraph (a) for “£23.30” substitute “£23.40”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (b) for “£14.90” substitute “£15.00”; and

(c)

in sub-paragraph (c) for “£7.45” substitute “£7.50”.

(2)

In the case of a claimant entitled to long-term incapacity benefit who was subject to regulation 2(3) of the Employment and Support Allowance (Up-rating Modification) (Transitional) Regulations 2008 the sums specified in regulation 18(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Transitional) Regulations 1995 shall be increased to “£12.15”, “£6.75” and “£6.75” respectively.

Rates of bereavement benefits19.

In the Rate of Bereavement Benefits Regulations 201059—

(a)

in regulation 2 (rate of widowed mother’s allowance and widow’s pension) for “£121.95” substitute “£122.55”; and

(b)

in regulation 3 (rate of widowed parent’s allowance) for “£121.95” substitute “£122.55”.

Rates of bereavement support payment20.

In regulation 3 of the Bereavement Support Payment Regulations 201760 (rate of bereavement support payment)—

(a)

in paragraph (1) “£350” remains unchanged;

(b)

in paragraph (2) “£3,500” remains unchanged;

(c)

in paragraph (4) “£100” remains unchanged; and

(d)

in paragraph (5) “£2,500” remains unchanged.