§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the provisions of the Community Charges (General Reduction) Bill entail any alterations in social security regulations.
§ Mr. NewtonWe will be laying regulations making consequential amendments to the community charge benefit scheme. They will provide that any claim for benefit which is made within 56 days of the receipt of a demand notice reflecting the new levels of community charge can, where appropriate, be backdated to 1 April 1991. The regulations will also revoke the existing rule which prevents community charge benefit being paid if it would amount to less than 50p per week, and make a number of other technical changes.
In view of the urgency the Social Security Advisory Committee has agreed to waive consultation on the regulations, which will be entirely beneficial.