Benefits and Welfare Legislation

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

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

Published: Tue 4th Mar 25 Came into force: Tue 29th Apr 25

The Order approved rule amendments increasing HCPC fees and enabling virtual meeting/hearing capabilities.


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.

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

Published: Mon 3rd Mar 25 Came into force: Tue 1st Apr 25

The 2025 regulations amended the 2012 regulations on NHS commissioning board and clinical commissioning group responsibilities, updating payment rates for nursing care and clarifying responsibilities for healthcare services in immigration removal centers.


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.

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

Published: Fri 28th Feb 25 Came into force: Fri 21st Mar 25

The order amended elections legislation in England, Wales, and Scotland to grant proxy voting rights to those receiving Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.


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.

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

Published: Thu 27th Feb 25 Came into force: Sun 6th Apr 25

The Enterprise Act 2002 was amended to add the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to the list of bodies authorized to file super-complaints.


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.

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

The order amended several UK Acts to incorporate the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA), preventing dual benefit payments and ensuring consistent treatment of SADLA recipients across the UK.


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.

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

The 2025 regulations amended the 2007 Gambling Act regulations to introduce age-based maximum stake limits for online slots games, including a six-week transitional period and a mandated five-year review.


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.

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The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 27th Feb 25 Came into force: Sun 6th Apr 25

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 established a levy system for gambling operators, defining the calculation and payment timelines, and linking non-payment to license revocation.


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.

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The Income Tax (Exemption of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 26th Feb 25 Came into force: Wed 19th Mar 25

The regulations exempted Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance from income tax by amending the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.


The Income Tax (Exemption of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 2025, effective March 19, 2025, amend the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 to fully exempt Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance from income tax.

This amendment is made under the authority of the Finance Act 2020 and clarifies the tax treatment of this specific benefit.

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