This Order brings into force provisions of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (“the Act”) as follows.

Section 11(1), (2), (3) and (11) of the Act (which provides for rights under tax-approved pension schemes to be excluded from a bankrupt’s estate), section 13(1) and (2) (application to Scotland) in so far as that section relates to section 11(1), (2), (3) and (11), and paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2 to the Act (income payment orders may be made against pensions), are brought into force on 29th May 2000.

Section 11(12) (under which a person is treated as having a right under an approved pension arrangement where he is entitled to a pension credit) is brought into force on 1st December 2000.

Section 67(3) and (4) (which reduces for certain categories of case the lower age limit for entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance from age 5 to age 3) is brought into force on 9th April 2001.

An assessment of the cost to business of the commencement of provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 is detailed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment of that Act. A copy of the Assessment has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies of the Assessment are available from the Department of Social Security, Regulatory Impact Unit, 3rd Floor, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.