MPs debate statutory instruments on social security benefits and pensions
9 February 2015 (updated on 9 February 2015)
MPs debated motions to approve the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015 and the draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015, on Monday 9 February 2015.
The debate was opened by the Minister for Pensions, Steve Webb, on behalf of the Government. The Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, Stephen Timms, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
The House approved both statutory instruments on question, without a vote.
- Watch Parliament TV: MPs debate motions to approve draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015 and Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015
- Read Commons Hansard: MPs debate motions to approve draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015 and Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015
Draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015
The draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015 was laid on 19 January 2015 under the affirmative procedure. The instrument must be approved by the House of Commons and House of Lords before it can come into force.
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Benefits policy
- Read the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2015 (external website)
Draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015
The draft Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015 was laid on 19 January 2015 under the affirmative procedure. The instrument must be approved by the House of Commons and House of Lords before it can come into force.
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Pensions
- Read the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2015 (external website)
Related information
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial. The Library has published briefing papers on the 2015 Benefit up-rating and the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions increases.
- House of Commons Library Paper: 2015 Benefit uprating
- House of Commons Library Paper: Guaranteed Minimum Pension - annual increases
Statutory Instruments
Statutory Instruments are a type of delegated legislation. Delegated legislation allows the Government to make changes to a law without needing to push through a completely new Act of Parliament.
The original Act (also known as primary legislation) would have provisions that allow for future delegated legislation to alter the law to differing degrees.
These changes range from the technical, like altering the level of a fine, to fleshing out Acts with greater detail; often an Act contains only a broad framework of its purpose and more complex content is added through delegated legislation.
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.