Annual up-rating of social security pensions, benefits and lump sum payments - screening

Annual up-rating of social security pensions, benefits and lump sum payments, comprising —

• the Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 (the Up-rating Order);
• the Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (the Up-rating Regulations); and
• the Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (the Mesothelioma Regulations).

Social security benefits, pensions and lump sum payments in Northern Ireland (NI) are generally maintained in parity with Great Britain (GB).

The rates of most social security benefits, pensions and lump sum payments are reviewed each year in GB and usually up-rated in April. The Department for Communities is empowered to make corresponding provision for NI. This legislation is to provide for the increase in the rates for 2022-2023. The Department for Communities has no power to set different rates for NI in the Up-rating Order.