CHILD BENEFIT ACT

KEY MESSAGES

• The Child Benefit Act is an important step in the Government's review of financial support for 16-19s.  Building on the success of Education Maintenance Allowances in raising participation in full time education, Government wants to ensure all young people have the support and incentives they need to participate in education or training.
• Supporting young people to achieve, published alongside Budget 2004, set out a package of short-term measures and a long-term vision to improve financial support for 16-19s.
• The Act enables the Government to implement these proposals, including the first step of extending financial support for unwaged trainees and 19 year olds completing a course.
• The draft indicative regulations published by HM Treasury at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations_and_legislation set out the scope of extension of entitlement to Child Benefit
• Has no impact on the payment of Child Benefit for children under 16.

IMPLEMENTATION

• The Act comes into force on 10 April 2006.
• The Act allows for HM Treasury to lay the regulations providing for the extension of Child Benefit before the Act comes into force in order that the regulations can also come into force on 10 April 2006.

TERRITORIAL EXTENT

• The Act applies across the UK.