Benefits and Welfare Legislation

Legislative framework for social security, welfare benefits, universal credit, pension schemes, and support systems for vulnerable populations.

The Council Tax (Discount Disregards and Exempt Dwellings) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective March 25th, 2025, modify existing council tax legislation in England.

They expand the categories of individuals eligible for council tax discounts and exempt dwellings to include those participating in the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and those entitled to a government thank you payment under associated guidance.

The changes apply to both discount disregards and exempt dwelling definitions, ensuring consistent treatment of Ukrainian arrivals within the council tax system.

The Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules Order of Council 2025

This Order approves amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) rules.

The amendments increase various registration and scrutiny fees, reflecting updated operational costs, and allow the HCPC to conduct meetings and hearings using audio or video conferencing technology improving efficiency and access.

The fee increases affect registration, renewal, readmission, and restoration fees, as well as scrutiny fees for UK and international applicants.

The changes to procedures affect multiple sets of HCPC procedural rules, specifically those concerning the Investigating, Conduct and Competence, Health, and Registration Appeals Committees.

The HCPC consulted with relevant bodies and stakeholders before implementing these changes.

The National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the 2012 National Health Service Commissioning Board and Clinical Commissioning Groups (Responsibilities and Standing Rules) Regulations.

Key changes include updating the rates for NHS-funded nursing care, increasing the ‘flat rate payment’ from £235.88 to £254.06 and the ‘high band payment’ from £324.50 to £349.50.

The regulations also remove references to secure training centers from NHS England's commissioning responsibilities, focusing instead solely on immigration removal centers.

These amendments took effect on April 1st, 2025, and apply to England only, having been made under the authority of the National Health Service Act 2006.

The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2025

This order amends various UK election laws to include the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) as grounds for proxy voting.

This ensures equal access to proxy voting for individuals in England, Wales, and Scotland who receive SADLA for disabilities, aligning with existing provisions for similar benefits.

The amendments affect regulations governing proxy voting in several election contexts, including general elections, police and crime commissioner elections, and recall petitions.

The Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) (Amendment) Order 2025

This Order amends the Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) Order 2004 by adding the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to the list of designated consumer bodies.

The Secretary of State confirmed the Institute represents consumer interests and meets all specified criteria, enabling it to file super-complaints with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding market practices harming consumers.

The amendment enhances consumer protection, specifically within the mental health sector, effective from April 6, 2025, and applies across the whole of the UK.

The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2025

This order modifies UK legislation following the introduction of the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA) in Scotland.

It amends several acts related to social security and taxation, preventing double payments where SADLA and other benefits overlap, and adjusting treatment of SADLA in defining disability for various purposes across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The order ensures consistent treatment of SADLA recipients across the UK.

The Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) Regulations 2007 to introduce maximum stake limits for online slots games.

The maximum stake is £2 for individuals under 25 and £5 for those 25 and over.

A six-week transitional period applies, and the Secretary of State must review the regulations within five years, publishing a report on the findings.

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 mandate that gambling operators pay an annual levy to the Gambling Commission, beginning April 6, 2025.

The levy amount is calculated based on the operator's revenue, with different percentages applied to different licenses.

The regulation aims to fund research and treatment of gambling-related harm, and addresses the collection of this levy through defined levy periods and methods of calculation.

Non-payment, unless excused by administrative error, results in license revocation.