Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/1724) (“the 1988 Regulations”) by substituting new Schedules to those Regulations in relation to the lists of weather stations and applicable postcode districts in Schedule 1, and alternative weather stations in Schedule 2.

Schedule 1 to the 1988 Regulations specifies primary weather stations which are relevant to determining whether there is a recorded, or forecasted, period of cold weather. Schedule 2 to the 1988 Regulations specifies alternative stations used to determine this information where the primary station is unable to do so (where there is no specified alternative station, the nearest station to the primary station able to provide this information is used).

Regulation 3 replaces Schedule 1 to the 1988 Regulations with Schedule 1 to these Regulations. The new Schedule largely re-enacts the list contained in the former Schedule 1, but it assigns postcodes from Coltishall Weather Station (which has closed) to a new weather station, Weybourne, which is added to the scheme. It also provides for certain other changes to the postcode and weather station linkages.

Regulation 4 replaces Schedule 2 to the 1988 Regulations with Schedule 2 to these Regulations. The new Schedule largely re-enacts the list contained in the former Schedule 2 but, due to the closure of Cardiff weather station, Mumbles has become the specified alternative weather station for St Athan.

The Postcode Atlas of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the postcode maps may be obtained from their publishers. A person may establish the current postcode for his or her address by contacting the Royal Mail Postcode Enquiries Office (telephone 08457 111222) or through the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business, charities or voluntary bodies.