Explanatory note

This Order makes further provision for the coming into force of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. In particular, it makes provision for the coming into force of regulation-making powers required to make the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008.

Article 2 provides that the day appointed for the coming into force of the powers listed in Schedule 1 to the Order, for the purposes of conferring power to make regulations is 18^th March 2008. It further provides that—

• 1^st April 2008 is the day appointed for the coming into force of section 49 of the Act (loss of benefit for commission of benefit offences);

• 27^th July 2008 is the day appointed for the coming into force of section 25(2)(b) and section 29 (partially) of the Act, of paragraphs 10(1), (2) and (32) and 17(1), (2) and (3) of Schedule 3 and of paragraphs 1, 2, 3(b), (c) and (d) and 11 of Schedule 4 to the Act, (all of which concern employment and support allowance) insofar as they have not already been commenced; and

• 27^th October 2008 is the day appointed for the coming into force generally of Part 1 of and Schedules 1 to 4 to, the Act (which concern employment and support allowance) insofar as they have not already been commenced.

Article 3 amends the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999 and the Social Security (Loss of Benefit) Regulations 2001 in consequence of the coming into force of section 49 of the Act.

An impact assessment has not been published for this instrument as it has no direct impact on the costs of businesses, charities and the voluntary sector.