The Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No. 8, and Savings and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999

8.  For article 26 (review of decisions of the Board) there shall be substituted the following article— E+W+S

“26.— (1) The Secretary of State may at any time and from time to time revise or supersede any decision given by the Board under provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation (Supplementation) Scheme 1966 in force immediately before 1st July 1977, if—

(a) the decision was erroneous in view of new facts which have been brought to his notice since the date on which the decision was given or by reason of some mistake being made with respect to the facts or the law; or

(b) there has been any relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given.

(2) A decision of the Board may be revised or superseded by the Secretary of State on his own initiative or by application in writing to him for the purpose.

(3) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that an issue has arisen whether the decision as to an award of an allowance to which this article relates ought to be revised or superseded in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1), he may decide that payment of the allowance shall be suspended in whole or in part until that issue has been determined.

(4) Repayment of sums by way of an allowance in pursuance of the original decision shall not be required under this article in any case where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that in the obtaining and receipt of the benefit the beneficiary, and any person acting for him, has throughout used due care and diligence to avoid overpayment.

(5) For the purposes of this article a decision given under any scheme made under the 1951 Act shall be treated as if it had been given under the Workmen’s Compensation (Supplementation) Scheme 1966 as it was immediately before the Workmen’s Compensation (Supplementation) Amendment Scheme 1977 came into operation.

(6) On a revision or supersession of a decision given by the Board under any scheme made under the 1951 Act in force before 1st March 1966 a decision given by the Secretary of State may determine any issues referred to him arising under any such scheme.”.