Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Child Benefit (General) Regulations 2006 (“the General Regulations”) with effect from 6th April 2012.

Regulation 3 amends the definition of “advanced education” in regulation 1(3) of the General Regulations so as to include a full-time course in preparation for a higher national certificate and regulation 4 amends the definition of “approved training” in regulation 1(3) of the General Regulations in order to take into account changes to the training provisions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Regulation 5 makes clear that “arrangements made by the Government” in relation to establishing training provisions include arrangements made under section 3 of the Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950 as well as those made under section 1 of that Act.

Regulation 6 amends the definition of “the Careers Service” in regulation 1(3) of the General Regulations in order to delete the reference to the Careers Service of the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland as this is an integral part of the Department for Employment and Learning, which is in turn already defined as a “qualifying body” for the purposes of the General Regulations in regulation 5(4)(c) thereof.

Regulation 7 amends the definition of “qualifying body” in regulation 5(4) of the General Regulations so that it also refers to Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L 166, 30.4.04, p1-123).

Regulations 8 to 11 substitute and amend regulations 16(3)(a), (4) and (5) and regulation 36(1)(b) of the General Regulations in order to take account of changes to the legislation referred to those regulations.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has a negligible impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies.