Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967), the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207), the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1971), the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1814), the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1973) and the Disability Working Allowance (General) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2887).

Consultation with representatives of local authorities is not required before making regulations relating to housing benefit and council tax benefit because the effect of these Regulations is to increase an amount specified in regulations already made (section 176(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992).

In particular, these Regulations increase by £2.50 the amount of the weekly personal allowances which is applicable in respect of children before the first Monday in September following their eleventh birthday in income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit (regulation 2).

These Regulations also increase by the same amount, that part of the appropriate maximum amounts of family credit and of disability working allowance which is allowed in respect of children before the first Tuesday in September following their eleventh birthday (regulation 3).

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.