The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)
The Welfare Reform Act 2012 sets out the overall framework for universal credit. The implementation of these arrangements will require the passage of detailed regulations.
The Department, as required by the Social Security Administration Act 1992, has submitted the following draft regulations to the independent Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) for formal scrutiny:
the universal credit, personal independence payment and working-age benefits (decisions and appeals) regulations 2012;
the universal credit, personal independence payment and working-age benefits (claims and payments) regulations 2012;
the jobseeker’s allowance regulations 2012; and
the employment and support allowance regulations 2012.
In addition SSAC will scrutinise the draft housing benefit (benefit cap) regulations 2012 and the draft universal credit regulations 2012. The universal credit regulations provide detail of the new single benefit, including entitlement, elements of the award, calculation of income and capital, and claimant responsibilities. I have asked the Committee to consider this set of regulations, which are not covered by the Social Security Administration Act 1992, for consultation over the summer in addition to those sent for formal scrutiny.
The Committee will decide today whether it intends to consult on these regulations and what form that consultation will take.
Draft universal credit regulations, along with other sets that are selected for consultation, will be published on both the SSAC and DWP website shortly along with details of any consultation process. I will place a copy of the draft regulations in the House Library. We intend to lay the final universal credit regulations before Parliament later in the year.