Contingencies Fund Act 2020
The Contingencies Fund Act 2020 (c. 6) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was created to increase the maximum capital of the United Kingdom's contingency fund from 2%, as set out in Section 1 of the Contingencies Fund Act 1974, to 50%. It was introduced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Act of Parliament | |
Long title | An Act to make provision increasing the maximum capital of the Contingencies Fund for a temporary period. |
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Citation | 2020 c. 6 |
Introduced by | Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer (Commons) Earl of Courtown, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard (Lords) |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 25 March 2020 |
Commencement | 25 March 2020 |
Other legislation | |
Amends | Contingencies Fund Act 1974 |
Relates to | Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1946 Coronavirus Act 2020 |
History of passage through Parliament | |
Text of statute as originally enacted | |
Revised text of statute as amended |
Background
The Contingencies Fund was established in 1862 by HM Treasury. It originally consisted of a fixed amount of capital which was increased over time and by 1945 had reached £1.5 million. Before this legislation, the Contingencies Fund Act 1974 required that the permanent capital of the fund not exceed 2% of the authorised supply expenditure of the previous financial year. The fund provides cash loans to government departments.[1]
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this legislation raises the limit to 50%.
Provisions
Section 1
Increases the limit from 2% to 50%, automatically expiring on 1 April 2021.