Welfare Reform Bill

Amendment 57 57: After Clause 19, insert the following new Clause— "Power to up-rate benefits following review in tax year 2009–10 In relation to the review under subsection (1) of section 150 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (annual up-rating of benefits) in the tax year ending with 5 April 2010, the other provisions of that section are to have effect as if— (a) after subsection (2) there were inserted— "(2A) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the general level of prices is no greater at the end of the period under review than it was at the beginning of that period, the Secretary of State may, if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate having regard to the national economic situation and any other matters which the Secretary of State considers relevant, lay before Parliament the draft of an up-rating order— (a) which increases by such a percentage or percentages as the Secretary of State thinks fit any of the sums mentioned in subsection (1); and (b) stating the amount of any sums which are mentioned in subsection (1) but which the order does not increase.", (b) in subsection (5), after "(2)" there were inserted "or (2A)", and (c) in subsection (6)— (i) after "(2)" there were inserted "or (2A)", and (ii) after "requires" there were inserted "or authorises"."