Benefits and Welfare Legislation
Legislative framework for social security, welfare benefits, universal credit, pension schemes, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
The Pensions Act 2004 (Code of Practice) (Revocation) Order 2026
This Order revokes the Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice regarding the authorisation and supervision of collective defined contribution schemes.
It exercises powers granted to the Secretary of State under the Pensions Act 2004 and applies to the regulatory framework governing occupational pension schemes in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The revocation precedes the issuance of a revised code intended to incorporate legislative extensions for unconnected multiple employer schemes.
The Pensions Act 2004 (Code of Practice) (Authorisation and Supervision of Collective Defined Contribution Schemes) Appointed Day and Revocation Order 2026
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions establishes 31 July 2026 as the date on which the Pensions Regulator’s updated Code of Practice regarding the authorisation and supervision of collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes takes legal effect.
The Order applies to the Pensions Regulator and trustees or managers of CDC schemes in England, Wales, and Scotland.
It further revokes the 2022 Order that brought the previous iteration of the Code into force.
The Education (Free School Lunches in Maintained Nursery Schools) (Universal Credit) (England) Order 2026
This Order establishes free school lunch eligibility for registered pupils at maintained nursery schools in England if their parent receives Universal Credit and they do not already qualify under existing legislative criteria.
It directs school authorities to treat these pupils as eligible persons under section 512ZB(4A) of the Education Act 1996.
The provisions apply specifically to the education sector in England and involve parents who are recipients of Universal Credit.
The Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and State Pension Credit (Carer’s Allowance Reassessment Capital Disregard) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations modify several pieces of secondary legislation to ensure that lump sum payments made by the Secretary of State following a recalculation of Carer's Allowance are excluded from capital assessments.
The rules apply to individuals receiving State Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit who receive such payments as a result of the Independent Review of Carer's Allowance Overpayments.
By directing that these sums be disregarded as capital, the instrument prevents these specific payments from affecting a claimant’s eligibility for or the amount of their means-tested benefits.
The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability and Carer Benefits) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026
This Order amends various social security, housing benefit, and decision-making regulations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to integrate new Scottish disability and carer benefits into the existing UK-wide legal framework.
It updates terminology to include 'carer benefits' alongside disability benefits and ensures that payments such as Carer Support Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment are recognized within the rules for claims, revisions of decisions, and funeral expense deductions.
The Order applies to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and relevant social security authorities responsible for administering benefits and the appeals process.
The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026
These Regulations make consequential amendments to various primary and secondary acts of legislation to account for the cessation of EU free movement law in the United Kingdom.
They modify eligibility criteria for social security benefits, child benefit, and tax credits by refining the definitions of 'persons from abroad' and 'persons not habitually resident'.
The measures apply to the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, and local authorities responsible for housing and council tax support, while providing specific protections for individuals with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement, or the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.
The Pension Schemes Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring into force Section 123 of the Pension Schemes Act 2026 on 29th June 2026.
The activated section grants the Board of the Pension Protection Fund the authority to adjust annual levies, including the power to reduce them to zero or a minimal amount, and establishes specific limits on how much those levies can be increased in subsequent years.
The order applies to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Board of the Pension Protection Fund.
The Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend the Education (Information About Individual Pupils) (England) Regulations 2013 to expand the scope of data that schools in England must provide to the Secretary of State.
The document directs maintained schools, Academy schools, pupil referral units, and non-maintained special schools to collect and report new information regarding pupils in kinship care, eligibility details for free school meals, and daily attendance records for free breakfast clubs.
Furthermore, it mandates the reporting of "managed moves"—where a pupil transfers institutions by agreement to avoid exclusion—and detailed tracking of the exclusion process, including cancellations and reinstatement decisions by governing bodies or review panels.