Benefits and Welfare Legislation

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

The Social Security (Residence in an EEA State or Switzerland) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Social Security (Residence in an EEA State or Switzerland) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 modify existing social security regulations concerning Invalid Care Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component for individuals residing in an EEA State or Switzerland.

These Regulations allow individuals who were in receipt of the relevant benefit provision under an applicable EU Regulation on December 31, 2020, to continue receiving those specific entitlements, provided they have maintained continuous receipt since that date and have not subsequently been habitually resident in the UK.

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 (Commencement No. 35) (Abolition of Benefits) Order 2025

Published: Mon 3rd Nov 25

This Order, made under the Welfare Reform Act 2012, sets out the final appointed dates for bringing into force provisions that abolish several legacy benefits, including Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, and the income-related elements of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), as claimants transition to Universal Credit (UC).

Key dates include December 1, 2025, for converting certain 'old style ESA' awards, and April 1, 2026, for the general abolition of Income Support and income-based JSA for remaining cases.

The Order also addresses the cessation of Housing Benefit for working-age claimants moving out of temporary or specified accommodation after November 14, 2025, and allows temporary administrative delay in preparing claimant commitments for converted ESA cases.

The Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Amendment Order 2025

This Order, made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury, amends the Income-related Benefits (Subsidy to Authorities) Order 1998 to revise how housing benefit subsidy is calculated and paid to local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Key changes include updating the Housing Benefit Assurance Process deadline, allowing local authorities flexibility in limiting deductions for historic overpayments, substituting the schedules detailing administration subsidy sums for the 2024-2025 relevant year, adjusting incentive payments for verification schemes, and setting specific deduction figures for Welsh authorities for the 2025/2026 relevant year.

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 13th Oct 25

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025, made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions using powers under the Mesothelioma Act 2014, fundamentally updates the compensation framework for diffuse mesothelioma sufferers.

These regulations specifically substitute Table 1 in Schedule 4 of the 2014 Regulations, resulting in a 49% increase for all scheme payment amounts based on the age of the individual when first diagnosed.

These revised, higher payment amounts apply to any person first diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma on or after 4th November 2025, or to their eligible dependants if the person has died without applying.

The Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Warm Home Discount (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend existing regulations for England and Wales and Scotland.

For England and Wales, the amendments extend the rebate issuance period to March 31, 2026, and provide additional flexibility for suppliers and the Secretary of State in managing rebates.

In Scotland, the regulations increase the aggregate non-core spending obligation for scheme year 15 by £39 million.

The changes aim to improve the effectiveness and reach of the Warm Home Discount scheme.

The Criminal Legal Aid (Standard Crime Contract) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective October 1st, 2025, amend three sets of UK criminal legal aid regulations—General, Remuneration, and Financial Resources—to reflect the replacement of the 2022 Standard Crime Contract with the 2025 version.

The amendments update references to the contract throughout the existing regulations and also update references to the Standard Crime Contract Guidance for Reporting Crime Lower Work to its latest version.

A transitional provision ensures that pre-existing determinations are unaffected, and the regulations only apply to services provided under the new contract.

The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) (No. 2) Resolution 2025

The Church Representation Rules (Amendment) (No. 2) Resolution 2025 amends the Church Representation Rules to simplify the Church electoral roll application process, improve parish governance by requiring submission of approved model rules, correct a drafting error in candidate nominations, strengthen disqualification criteria aligned with High Court jurisdiction regarding charity trustees, standardize financial reporting using Charity Commission guidelines, clarify disqualification provisions for parochial representatives, streamline elections of Parochial Representatives of the Laity, and mandate training for newly elected PCC members.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

These regulations, enacted under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, bring into force section 124 on September 30, 2025.

This section amends the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring providers of certain regulated online services to retain information related to child death investigations.

The regulations are the second set issued under the 2025 Act, and an impact assessment referencing a prior assessment was published on the UK Government website.