Explanatory note

This Order amends the Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998 (“the 1998 Order”), which provides for the calculation and payment of housing benefit subsidy to local authorities in England and Wales. Schedule 4A to the 1998 Order concerns rent rebates for dwellings within the authorities’ Housing Revenue Accounts. The Schedule to this Order amends Schedule 4A. Sections 140C(4) and 140F(2) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 authorise the making, revocation or varying of an Order before, during or after the year to which it relates. The amendments made by this Order have effect from 1st April 2009.

Paragraph 2 of the Schedule corrects an incorrect reference in the definition of rent in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4A.

With respect to authorities in England, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the Schedule amend Schedule 4A to substitute the RPI figure, the annual factor, the rebate proportion and the weekly rent limit for the purposes of determining whether or not an authority is liable to a deduction from subsidy payable for 2009-10.

With respect to authorities in Wales, paragraph 6 of the Schedule amends Schedule 4A to substitute the specified amount “O” and the guideline rent increase for the purposes of determining whether or not an authority is liable to a deduction from subsidy payable for 2009-10.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private or voluntary sectors.