Explanatory note

These regulations make provision consequent upon the replacement of contributory maternity grant by non-contributory maternity grant by virtue of section 5 of the Social Security Act 1980 which amended the Social Security Act 1975, in respect of confinements on or after 4th July 1982.

Regulation 2 amends the Social Security (Maternity Benefit) Regulations 1975 and prescribes the periods for which a woman must be present in Great Britain to establish entitlement to non-contributory maternity grant. It also provides that certain period during which a woman is temporarily absent from Great Britain may be included as part of parts of the total period for which presence in Great Britain is required.

Regulation 3 amends the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975 and specifies that a woman shall not be disentitled to Maternity Grant by reason only that she was confined outside Great Britain if she can satisfy one of the conditions specified. It also provides that in such cases a woman shall not be disqualified from receiving payment of the benefit while absent from Great Britain.

The report of the Social Security Advisory Committee dated 18th May 1981 relevant to these regulations is contained in Command Paper (Cmnd. 8336) published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.