Explanatory note

This Order provides for the coming into force of further provisions of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 (“the Fraud Act”) on 30th April 2002:

• section 1 (subsections (4) and (9) of which were commenced on 26th February 2002) provides additional powers for obtaining information, while sections 2 and 4 make provision for electronic access to, and for payments in respect of, information;

• section 6 enables the Secretary of State to give directions to local authorities in relation to the supply by them of housing benefit information;

• sections 14 and 15 relate to provision for civil penalties as an alternative to prosecution for benefit offences;

• section 17 removes the time limit for proceedings in Scotland for an offence under section 111A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (“the 1992 Act”);

• section 18 provides for abbreviated references to the 1992 Act within the Fraud Act; and

• section 19 provides for the repeal of enactments mentioned in the Schedule to the Fraud Act.

This Order does not impose a charge on business.