Benefits and Welfare Legislation

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

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

Published: Mon 8th Sept 25 Came into force: Sat 6th Sept 25

The 2025 Resolution amended the Church Representation Rules to streamline electoral processes, improve parish governance, clarify disqualifications, standardize financial reporting, and mandate PCC member training.


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.

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

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 brought into force section 124 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, amending the Online Safety Act 2023 regarding data retention for child death investigations.


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.

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The Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025

The Order amended the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 to permit sharing of matched adult social care data with local authorities in England and Wales.


The Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025 amends the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004.

These amendments allow the sharing of matched adult social care data with local authorities in England and Wales to improve fraud detection and financial recovery.

The Order was enacted under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, following parliamentary approval and consultation.

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The Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 3rd Sept 25 Came into force: Tue 21st Oct 25

The 2025 regulations amended the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 to simplify the habitual residence assessment for housing benefit claimants already receiving universal credit.


The Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective October 21, 2025, amend the 2006 Housing Benefit Regulations.

Specifically, they remove the habitual residence assessment for housing benefit applicants already receiving Universal Credit.

This simplification streamlines the application process by relying on the existing Universal Credit determination of habitual residence.

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The Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 1st Sept 25 Came into force: Wed 1st Oct 25

The 2025 regulations amended NHS charges for injury-related treatment, increasing fees for ambulance services, outpatient and inpatient care, and the maximum chargeable amount, while revoking previous amendments.


These regulations, effective October 1, 2025, amend the 2015 Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) Regulations by increasing charges for NHS ambulance services, outpatient, and inpatient treatment received by those compensated for injuries.

The maximum charge also increases.

The amendments reflect updated costs, are legally authorized under the Health and Social Care Act 2003, and resulted in the revocation of the 2024 amending regulations.

A full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary.

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The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 22nd Aug 25 Came into force: Mon 15th Sept 25

The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 were enacted, setting payment amounts and eligibility criteria for a winter fuel payment to eligible pensioners in England and Wales, and revoking prior regulations.


These regulations outline the rules for the 2025 Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales.

Eligibility is determined by reaching pensionable age and ordinary residency, with payment amounts varying based on age and receipt of other benefits.

Those in residential care or receiving free inpatient treatment for over a year are subject to different rules.

The regulations also revoke previous versions and codify automatic payments in certain cases.

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The Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025

Published: Fri 25th Jul 25 Came into force: Wed 23rd Jul 25

The Order amended the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 to permit sharing matched adult social care data with local authorities.


The Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025 amends the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004.

The amendment allows for the sharing of matched adult social care data with local authorities in England and Wales to improve fraud detection, recover lost funds, and streamline administration.

The Order was made under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 and received parliamentary approval.

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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

These regulations commenced specific provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 on August 20, 2025, including those related to data access, data protection amendments, the Information Commission, and online safety.


The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 bring into force various sections of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, effective August 20, 2025.

These sections cover aspects such as access to customer and business data, amendments to the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the establishment of the Information Commission, and provisions related to online safety, eIDAS regulations, copyright, and AI. The regulations specify which subsections of each section come into force, and their geographical extent across the UK.

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