§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what cumulative net increase in compliance costs has been estimated in compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997; [52941]
(2) if he will list the compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997; [52940]
(3) if he will list those compliance cost assessments since 1 May 1997 in which there is a net reduction in compliance costs resulting from a legislative proposal. [52939]
§ Mr. DenhamDetails of compliance cost assessments (CCAs) published by this Department are contained in Command Papers. Between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1997 (the last date covered by the eighth such Command Paper—published on 22 April 1998), two compliance cost assessments were published. They both related to what is now the Social Security Act 1998; the estimated net increase in compliance costs set out in these two assessments was between £100,000 and £ 1 million.
This year to date, two further CCAs have been published (in February 1998) by this Department as follows:
SI 263/98—The Social Security (Contributions and Industrial Injuries) (Canada) Order 1998—minimal compliance costs were off-set by related savings for business.SI 470/98—The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1998—zero recurring and non-recurring compliance costs, and minimal revenue costs (less than £0.5 million) as a result of adjustment to the Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay rates.There is presently no requirement on departments to carry out compliance cost assessments where legislative proposals are expected to be cost neutral or to result in a saving to business.
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