Territorial Extent
22.Most provisions in this Act extend to England and Wales and Scotland, but not to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has its own social security legislation, but there is a long-standing policy of parity in this area.
23.The provisions of the Act extend to England and Wales and Scotland except:
24.In general, the provisions of the Act apply to Wales in the same way as they apply to England. Consent to legislate was given by the National Assembly for Wales in relation to provisions in section 131 allowing the sharing of information between local authorities in Wales (amongst other bodies) relating to welfare services.
25.There are also provisions which required the consent of Welsh Ministers because they impact on their functions, these measures are:
	amalgamating a separate scheme for people injured as trainees into the main Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme (section 66);
	changes to allow localisation of the social fund (section 70);
	provision relating to the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (section 144 and Schedule 13).
26.Consent of the Scottish Parliament was also given to legislate in a number of areas:
	amalgamating a separate scheme for people injured as trainees into the main Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme (section 66);
	allowing data-sharing with local authorities (section 131); and
	provision relating to the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (section 144 and Schedule 13).
27.Consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate was given in respect of provisions relating to the transfer of tax credit functions (section 126(1) to (13)), information-sharing between Secretary of State and HMRC (section 127(1) to (9)) and the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission (section 144 and Schedule 13).