Benefits and Welfare Legislation
Legislative framework for social security, welfare benefits, universal credit, pension schemes, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
The Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme (Extension) Order 2025
The Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme (Extension) Order 2025 extends an existing pilot program testing mandated work requirements for employed Universal Credit claimants.
The extension, effective February 19, 2025, covers England, Wales, and Scotland, and continues the scheme for another twelve months.
The order leverages existing legislation and claims to have a non-significant impact, foregoing a full impact assessment.
This decision allows for continued data collection and evaluation of policy effectiveness.
The Community Radio Order 2025
The Community Radio Order 2025, effective April 1, 2025, consolidates and amends existing legislation governing community radio in the UK. It defines community radio services, focusing on their non-commercial, community-beneficial nature and the obligations on licensees, such as promoting social gain and accountability to the served community.
The order modifies relevant sections of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003, revokes previous related orders, and includes transitional provisions for existing licences.
The focus is on fostering participation from community members, and ensuring that services are provided primarily for social gain.
The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The regulations modify multiple aspects of student financial support in England, updating payment rates and loan amounts for the 2025/26 academic year.
Key changes include introducing lower fees for foundation years, extending support to bereaved partners of Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veterans, enhancing disabled student allowances, and revising overseas territory definitions.
The amendments affect various existing regulations including student support, postgraduate loans, and fee limit conditions.
The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2025
The Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2006 Order governing service pensions.
Key changes include updated rates for pensions, gratuities, and allowances for armed forces members disabled or killed in service before April 6, 2005.
The Order also modifies eligibility for mobility supplements, including those receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, and simplifies the eligibility criteria.
The amendments take effect in March and April 2025, extending across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations modify the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001.
They mandate that employers claiming zero-rate secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions for employees working in designated freeports or investment zones must include the employee's workplace postcode (or an HMRC-provided alternative code) in their Full Payment Submission.
This aims to improve data collection and ensure compliance with existing legislation regarding tax relief in these specific zones.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2012 Early Years Foundation Stage (Welfare Requirements) Regulations to update the date referenced in regulation 3 to February 10, 2025.
This change is in response to a revised Qualifications Document outlining updated training and qualification requirements for early years providers.
The update facilitates the introduction of an experience-based route for early years practitioners to gain Level 3 status, impacting staff:child ratios.
The changes affect early years providers in England and Wales and are backed by the Childcare Act 2006.
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Transfer of Staff to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority) Regulations 2025
These regulations govern the transfer of specified Ministry of Defence Police employees to the Civil Nuclear Police Authority on April 1, 2025.
The regulations ensure employment protection, mirroring provisions in the 2006 Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), covering contracts, rights, and liabilities.
They also address the transition of Ministry of Defence Police members into the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and incorporate modifications regarding pension schemes.
The Exempt Charities Order 2025
The Exempt Charities Order 2025, effective February 6th, 2025, designates St Mary's University, Twickenham as an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011.
This exemption prevents registration with the Charity Commission and limits the Commission's powers, barring advisory roles at the charity's request and inquiries initiated by a principal regulator (in this case, the Office for Students).