Paula Bradley
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I am especially grateful to all the women who, especially in my first mandate here, were a constant support and encouragement to me as a new MLA. Nothing ever prepares you for this role, but many inside and outside this Building are the glue that holds it all together.”
“I thank them for their support, especially over the last week, with the phone calls, emails, cards and flowers, but, most of all, for allowing me to be part of their lives, sometimes at the most difficult times. Secondly, I want to thank my party, of which I have been a member for 20 years.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will try my very best to get through these three minutes without tears in my eyes, though I doubt that that is going to happen. <BR /> <BR />I will begin by thanking you, Mr Speaker.”
“After much discussion with officials concerning the objectives of the Bill, the detail of an SMI loan, the process of registering and removing the statutory charge and how and when an SMI loan is repaid, the Committee was content with the Bill as drafted. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill.”
“I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill. It is probably the shortest Bill that the Committee considered, but it is no less important, as it aims to protect owner-occupiers in receipt of an income-related benefit from the threat of repossession.”
“I know that I have caused a few headaches over the past two years, but you have always delivered week in, week out and put the needs of the Committee first and foremost. You have made my role as Committee Chair so much easier. For all that you have done, I am truly thankful.”
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“<BR /> <BR />What was most striking about the briefing was the uncertainty regarding any funding specifics beyond quarter one and the generally heavily caveated nature of the estimates provided to the Committee. The COVID-19 budget requirements for quarter one alone total almost £61 million, with a projected requirement of just over £49 million per quarter for the remaining three quarters. Of course, the Committee recognises that recent priorities have all been COVID-19-related, and the Committee has supported the Minister in her initiatives to support those people impacted as a result of the crisis. We also note that each of these initiatives has generally come with a significant price tag. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that many here have heard from their party's local councillors about the pressure that councils are under.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I also pass on my condolences to John Dallat's family at this very sad time. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Communities was briefed by officials on the Department’s budget position on 22 April. The Committee acknowledges the extremely difficult circumstances in which the Department has compiled the budget, given the funding requirements for COVID-19 actions to date and the uncertainty that the crisis has presented. The headline resource DEL budget for 2020-21 is £824 million. The Committee noted that, while specific budget allocations have been made, they are subject to change depending on the Minister’s priorities and the evolving impact of the COVID-19 position.”
“It is, therefore, welcome that the Department is engaging with the courts service and landlords so that there is no default to landlords seeking court orders to evict tenants as the crisis subsides and thus increase the number of homeless here in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomed the Bill and agreed to the accelerated passage procedure, reflecting the urgency with which it needed to be enacted. The Committee recognises this legislation as another element in our approach to supporting those people who are most in need, and we therefore lend the Bill our support.”
“Of course, none of us knows what the situation will be like after the initial 12-week period has finished, so the flexibility to extend this period is important. As I mentioned last week, 18% of the population live in accommodation in the private rented sector in 134,000 properties. <BR /> <BR />The Committee, like all Members of this House, recognises the potential for tenants in rent arrears to be evicted and rendered homeless. That would simply shift the problem from one part of our system to another. The question of how we emerge from this crisis, even in the midst of managing it, is gaining more traction.”
“Importantly, it will also allow people to continue to adhere to public health advice on social distancing, self-isolation and shielding without the added anxiety of an eviction notice hanging over their heads. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, since the Committee was last briefed on the Bill, the Department has subsequently issued guidance to landlords and tenants on the Department's expectations that landlords and tenants will come to reasonable agreements on the level of rent that tenants are able to pay. That is in the context of the Committee's recognition that tenants will be able to avail themselves of financial support, such as the furlough scheme, discretionary support and universal credit. <BR /> <BR />In effect, the 12-week period gives tenants and landlords time to reach agreement without recourse to evictions.”
“I rise to give the Committee's perspective. Despite the haste with which this Bill has progressed through the House, it will bring some comfort to those people in the private rented sector who fear eviction as a result of the loss of income due to COVID-19. The Bill is proportionate, broadly equating to the three-month mortgage holiday for mortgage holders, which includes buy-to-let landlords. <BR /> <BR />Fundamentally, extending the notice-to-quit period from four to 12 weeks allows all parties, but particularly tenants and landlords, the time required to come to arrangements in respect of rent payments. In that regard, the Bill does not give carte blanche to tenants not to pay their rent.”
“We need to protect them so that they cannot face eviction, and that needs to be done in collaboration with the Department for the Economy, because I know that it does not lie fully at the door of Minister Hargey. <BR /> <BR />I agree with the Member's sentiment. I get it absolutely and I know that he is trying his very best to look out for the most vulnerable people in our community, but I would like to think that when we come to near the end of the 12-week period, this will be brought back to the Committee, where we can look at it again and, if it needs to be extended beyond that, we will take that proportionate approach.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention and I absolutely agree. I think that it is important that the Bill allows us to react, to extend this and to make those decisions going forward. <BR /> <BR />I will make another point, which a Member raised and on which I have been lobbied, about student rents. I know that that does not fall wholly under the Department for Communities. Many students will have left their rental properties and are now living back with their parents, but there are others who are living in their student accommodation. It is their main place of residence and they have no choice, whether they are overseas students or students who do not have a home to go back to.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am also a little bit concerned about extending the period, given that the so-called mortgage holiday is set at three months and if it does not continue. There are many good landlords. Many of them help their tenants and are actively speaking to them and have good relationships. I know that there are many bad landlords as well, and that people are living in some really horrendous conditions in some private rentals. I worry about those landlords who have to pay buy-to-rent mortgages. When those mortgages have to be paid again because the mortgage holiday is over, if we were to run this any longer, we could end up with repossession by the banks in respect of those buy-to-rent mortgages.”
“I also feel for that age group. We know that, in today's times, a lot of children, including mine, do not leave home until much later, so they are living with their parents. However, we have a cohort of those between approximately the ages of 25 to 35 years who have left home and are in private rentals because, although they are saving, they cannot afford the 20% deposit to buy a house. It worries me that they have lost their jobs. They will have savings that they have worked really hard to build up for a deposit and that is seen as savings when they apply for housing benefit. <BR /> <BR />In all the legislation that has been passed here in recent weeks, there are swings and roundabouts. There are people who will benefit, but there are others who will fall through the cracks, and it will be much more difficult for them.”
“Quite a lot of them are from the group who have been furloughed at 80% of their pay, and they have contacted their landlords to ask for a 20% reduction in their rent. Landlords have said no to that, which I think is scandalous. I think that it is absolutely dreadful that landlords have not responded to these people who, through no fault of their own, have been put on furlough and on reduced wages. I think that we need to encourage landlords to do that, and we need to be saying that, as part of this, landlords have a responsibility to people who want to pay their rent, albeit at a reduced rate.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for highlighting some of the issues that we spoke about when we the Committee was briefed by officials. I know that there are a lot of people who are going through some really bad financial uncertainty at this time, and there are many people who have lost their jobs. I would like to think that a safety net is in place to help those people when it comes to housing benefit, and the Member did bring up a very good point around housing benefit and the rates cap. Not all private rentals are of the same level as housing benefit, so maybe the Minister could address that. <BR /> <BR />I have been lobbied and have been contacted by various people in my constituency.”
“I believe that the legislation as it stands is proportional to where we are at the moment, and, in the Bill, there are two clauses that will allow for the Bill to be altered. <BR /> <BR />I had a small debate with some other Members about amendment No 13. The Bill allows for this to be brought back to the Committee for it to extend it or whatever the case might be. You said that you would prefer it to be the Assembly as well as the Committee that look at this. In normal times, I would be saying that I wholeheartedly agree with that. My only concern is that we could be in the middle of summer recess by then, not that I think that summer recess will be like any other summer recess that we have had before. My only concern is that we would have to wait a further length of time to give notice or whatever else for the Assembly to reconvene.”
“Today I speak as a member of the Democratic Unionist Party and not as Chair of the Committee for Communities. The Committee has not had time to scrutinise these amendments, so I cannot give a Committee response on them. In saying that, Mr Carroll brought up the point about scrutiny and lack of scrutiny. As a Committee, we were in agreement that we would very much like to have more scrutiny on this, and I certainly would like to have had more scrutiny on your amendments. Sadly, that was not possible, but I know that the times that we are living in have made all of these things not possible. We have had to rush through legislation, and I think that the crux of that is that the legislation has to be proportional.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee therefore recognises the need for the Bill and the need to progress it through the House as quickly as possible. That is why we agreed to accelerated passage. That is important, as there is no retrospective element to the Bill. Its provisions will come into operation only the day after the Bill receives Royal Assent. The Committee expects the Department to continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on tenants and landlords in the private rented sector and to respond with policy and legislation on the basis of evidence and discussions with relevant parties as the crisis progresses. The Committee, as ever, stands ready to assist and advise the Minister.”
“It will also give space to all those involved in the private rented sector to allow them to get a sense of how big an issue this is and to put in place measures over the coming months to address it. On that point, it is important to bear it in mind that, at the end of the crisis, some tenants may be in significant rent arrears. That raises the possibility, even though the legislation postpones evictions in the immediate term, of there still being the potential for an increased number of evictions to take place in the next year, as the crisis subsides. The Committee was advised that the Department is continuing discussions with the Courts and Tribunals Service on the issue so that there is not a default to landlords seeking court orders to evict tenants, thus increasing the number of homeless in Northern Ireland.”
“It is therefore important, as the recent guidance for private rented landlords and tenants issued this week highlights, that tenants engage with their landlord and come to an agreement on the payment of rent. Where tenants are able to pay or partially pay their rent, they should. The legislation is to protect people in actual need, not to provide an excuse for private tenants to stop paying their rent altogether. <BR /> <BR />The principles underpinning the Bill — preventing evictions and ensuring that people adhere to public health advice — are welcomed by the Committee. The Bill will provide a breathing space specifically for tenants while they work through the process that will allow them to access financial support.”
“However, introducing the concept of proportionality also raises the question of how we determine when the provisions are no longer proportionate. For example, if the three-month mortgage holiday is not extended, will it be proportionate to extend the notice-to-quit period? That is of particular relevance to landlords whose rental income is their income. In addition, the Committee recognises that there is a range of options in place to support income levels. They include the furlough scheme, where people will receive 80% of their salary; the self-employed scheme; access to universal credit; the discretionary housing scheme, whereby people who apply for and receive universal credit will have their rent paid for 13 weeks; and the recently enhanced discretionary support scheme.”
“Of course, it is also the case that everyone has been told to stay at home in order to restrict movement and therefore the spread of the virus. The Bill will ensure that people in the private rented sector can stay in their home for longer. It will allow people to self-isolate where necessary, thereby adhering to public health advice. <BR /> <BR />It is worth clarifying that existing legislation in Northern Ireland does not contain grounds for eviction but rather requires landlords to give tenants notice-to-quit periods. That provides context to the approach taken by the Minister. Extending the period of notice to quit from four to 12 weeks is therefore a proportionate response to the crisis and is comparable to the three-month mortgage holiday of which buy-to-let landlords and homeowners can avail themselves.”
“I will make a few comments as Chair of the Committee for Communities. <BR /> <BR />Prior to the current crisis, one of the most important issues that our society faced was how to solve the homelessness problem. One element of an effective response to the problem of homelessness is prevention. The impact of the current COVID-19 crisis is wide-ranging and includes the potential to put many more people at risk of homelessness, particularly those in the private rented sector who may have lost their job. The Minister has introduced the Bill to make sure that that risk is minimised. It is also important for Members to note that 18% of the population live in the private rented sector, in 134,000 properties, so many thousands of individuals and families are potentially at risk of eviction if support is not forthcoming.”
“In addition, the Committee accepted that the possibility of an increased number of evictions was contrary to the public health advice to stay at home and restrict movement. Committee members accepted that it was necessary to have the legislation in place as soon as possible to provide a breathing space for tenants in the private rented sector. I am sure that we will go into more detail at Second Stage on those and other issues. However, while never the procedure of choice, the Committee supports the motion that the Bill should proceed by accelerated passage.”
“The Committee for Communities was briefed by the Minister at its meeting on 6 April on why the Bill was required to proceed under accelerated passage. Members recognised the urgent need to put measures in place that would ensure that tenants in the private rented sector are protected, at least in the short term, from the possibility of eviction. The impact of the crisis on the economy has left many people with a significant reduction in income. That causes an immediate concern for people in the private rented sector as to how to pay their rent while they seek to obtain financial support through the benefits system or other means, such as the furlough scheme. <BR /> <BR />Accessing support takes time — sometimes longer than we might consider to be reasonable.”
“With that, the Committee for Communities is content to support the motion that the House approves the regulations.”
“On that issue, the Department agreed to consider how best to disseminate that information to applicants, other than nidirect, and how to make that information as clear and understandable as possible to applicants and MLAs. Perhaps the Minister can advise whether progress has been made on that. <BR /> <BR />Lastly, I pass on the Committee's recognition of the immense amount of work that our officials on the policy and legislation side and on the operational side have carried out to ensure that people are getting the support that they need. I should also add that we thank the staff of the arm's-length bodies who come under the remit of the Department. The Committee wrote to the Minister on that issue last week, but I think that it is important that we put it on record in the House.”
“The Committee, therefore, noted the need to monitor the number of applications for discretionary support so that, where necessary, further bids for funding can be made to the Department of Finance. I thank the Minister for her update on some of those figures today. <BR /> <BR />While not directly related to the content of the regulations, it was also reassuring that the Department is redeploying staff to discretionary support and universal credit to ensure that payments are made as quickly as possible to those people in need. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also raised concern about how information about the range of grants and loans under the wider umbrella of discretionary support will be conveyed to applicants to ensure that they apply under the scheme most appropriate to their needs.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given the nature and extent of the crisis, it seems almost impolite to ask about cost, but scrutinising the cost of such proposals, even under the current, difficult circumstances, is necessary. The Committee asked about costs relating to the regulations under consideration, but the Department advised us that it did not have reliable estimates for the cost of implementing the regulations. It is, however, logical to state that when you increase the income threshold and, therefore, widen the eligibility for discretionary support, the cost will go up. We do not know the number of claims that will be made, and, therefore, we do not know what the overall costs will be.”
“Raising the income threshold to just over £20,000 brings it in line with the benefit cap, which the Committee views as a reasonable approach to ensure that more low-income households can access support. Discretionary support has been one of the Department's key mechanisms to provide that support, and the House has seen a number of regulations directly relating to discretionary support. <BR /> <BR />It is worth reminding the House that a previous set of regulations provided a non-payable grant to successful applicants for short-term living expenses where they or any member of their family has been diagnosed with the condition or has been advised to self-isolate, and repeated applications can be made.”
“I will make a few comments on behalf of the Committee. The Committee considered the SL1 for these regulations at its meeting of 6 April and was supportive of the regulations' being made. The Committee is actually scheduled to consider the statutory rule tomorrow, so has not had the opportunity to come to a formal Committee position on them. However, I have contacted the members of the Committee and they have agreed that they are content to support these regulations as long as the Minister can give assurances that the policy has not changed since the Committee's consideration of the SL1. Notwithstanding that, it is worth noting that the Committee recognised the necessity of helping as many people in need as we possibly can during this crisis.”
“The junior Minister will be aware that those services have been significantly curtailed in order to minimise the need for a person to leave their home, but given the wide range of services provided by the Department for Communities, it would be useful if clarity were provided on what services the Minister had in mind when including that reference in the regulations. <BR /> <BR />We all look forward to the day when the restrictions and requirements imposed by these regulations are lifted, but it is important, as progress is made towards that goal, that we are cautious, that we do not take action too early and set back the achievements that we as a society have made together.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee for Communities also notes regulation 5 — restrictions on movement — which provides a reasonable excuse for a person to leave their place where they are living. The regulations state that a reasonable excuse includes:”
“That will be particularly important to our economy, so we need clarity on the evidence required to support a decision to terminate a restriction or requirement. Perhaps the Minister can shed some light on that. <BR /> <BR />The economy has been significantly impacted, perhaps none more so than the hospitality industry, which plays a huge role in the wider tourism industry. Indeed, that is evident under schedule 2, which lists the businesses subjected to restrictions or closure. My party colleague the Minister for the Economy has taken decisions to support those businesses and that process is now under way. So, while the regulations are extraordinary in the extent of the restrictions, we should remind ourselves and wider society that the Executive have tried to balance those with support for industry and the individual.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is not an understatement to say that adherence to the regulations will save lives, and the Executive have gone to some lengths to emphasise that. However, people need to be reassured that the restrictions in the regulations are not just essential but proportionate and that there are clear criteria and processes in place that will allow for those restrictions to be relaxed at the appropriate time. Therefore, it would be helpful if the Minister would clarify how the process of review takes place and against what criteria. That will be increasingly important as the public health impact of the virus in respect of decreasing infections and deaths appears to decline and the focus turns to restoring greater normality to all aspects of our lives.”
“While the Committee has not formally discussed the regulations, its members have been aware of those aspects that relate directly to the Department for Communities and the nature of my comments as Chair of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />The restrictions outlined in the regulations undoubtedly curtail the normal activities associated with everyday life. In effect, these regulations put an end, temporarily, to those activities for the majority of people. However, it is reassuring that the people of Northern Ireland have responded with great understanding of the crisis we are in and the actions we must take collectively to emerge from the crisis as soon as we can with as few fatalities as possible.”
“I join other members in the House this morning in offering my sincere condolences to the many families out there who have lost someone that they love dearly. I also join the Chair in his remarks that death at any time is very difficult, but given the numerous restrictions that we have at the moment, it is most certainly an awful lot more difficult at this time. I also offer my heartfelt thanks to all those people in health and social care who are doing an absolutely wonderful job and also those essential workers who, behind the scenes, are carrying out many aspects of daily living in Northern Ireland that go unnoticed, so a massive thank you to them. <BR /> <BR />I rise to speak on behalf of the Committee for Communities.”
“In finishing, I think of all the mums and dads who, like me, are thinking about their children who are at work. As parents, we want, no matter what, to protect and cocoon our children, no matter what age they are. We owe them all a debt of gratitude, no matter what job they are doing today. We, as parents, will continue to worry because it is our job to do so. I say to all those who are not meant to be at work or out on essential business today, "Stay at home. Many of the people who are work today have mums and dads, like me and many others in the Chamber, who are worried sick about them. Please, stay at home and keep our essential workers safe".”
“No words could convey the anxiety that I feel or the gratitude that I have, knowing the wonderful people they are, for the selfless dedication that they are showing not only to our health service but to our country.”
“<BR /> <BR />With your indulgence, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will speak as a Member of the House. First, I thank the Minister for her diligence in her endeavours to help and protect the many vulnerable families and individuals in the communities that we all represent; indeed, I thank all the Ministers on our Executive for their combined effort in steering us through the most fearful of times. At this time, I think of all of the workers who are literally putting their life on the line: the entire Health and Social Care family. I think particularly, of course, of those I worked with when I worked for the NHS.”
“It is, therefore, not entirely clear whether the anticipated increase in expenditure has been agreed. Can the Minister clarify that in her response? <BR /> <BR />Finally, while the new policy is welcome, it will be of little help if we do not have the people to process the applications or if the applications cannot be processed in a very short time. Can the Minister shed some light on whether additional resources will be dedicated to aid the processing of discretionary support applications, on whether the application will be short and on what level of evidence will be required to support the application? <BR /> <BR />When the crisis is over, we will be judged by the decisions and actions that we took to support the people through it. The regulations are just a small part of that support. I urge the House to affirm the regulations.”
“<BR /> <BR />The speed at which the regulations have been brought forward should be seen as positive. We do not want people wondering what support they can expect in a week or two. That support is required now. The policy is, in effect, an extension of the current discretionary support policy. However, unlike the current policy, the regulations ensure that people will be able to make repeated claims within any 12-month period, and, as long as there is evidence to support the claim, a grant may be provided. <BR /> <BR />I note that, as the Minister has stated, the additional expenditure would be upwards of £10 million a year, assuming a 100% increase in grant awards. The Department has advised in the accompanying SL1 that it has engaged with the Department of Finance to highlight the anticipated increased expenditure.”
“As the Minister has said, given the fast-moving nature of the health crisis that we are in, the Committee for Communities has not had the opportunity to discuss the regulations. However, I am confident that the Committee would have few objections to the measures that the Minister has taken in order to support claimants who are affected by COVID-19, whether that be themselves or a member of their immediate family. In particular, I have no doubt that the Committee would be fully supportive of the assistance being provided through discretionary grants rather than loans. There is a general view that loans simply serve to place people in debt that they have to pay off over a long time. We have enough anxiety in society today without adding to it by indebting people.”
“The Committee for Communities considered the regulations at its meeting on 12 March 2020 and acknowledged that the regulations would simply increase the amounts that are payable under the relevant Order and make provision for payments to dependants where the sufferer did not receive a payment under the Order before their death. We can all see the justice and fairness in making such a provision for dependants. <BR /> <BR />The Committee noted that the uprating is in line with that for other disability benefits; that is, according to the consumer price index rate as of September 2019, which was 1·7%. The Committee was, therefore, content to recommend that the Assembly affirm the regulations.”
“I fully understand that Whiteabbey train station is landlocked, but there are severe problems there from Station Road, along Ypres, into Fernagh into King's Park, where the Busy Bus service often cannot get down the road. That service is there to help the most vulnerable. Something has to be done, whether that is getting traffic attendants out to ticket people or something else. We talk about the key to connecting communities, but the situation there means that we are not connecting communities. We are allowing people to park across driveways and roads and, on occasion, to block roads.”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed answer. Minister, you talk about the Department for Communities, but you have a strong part to play in moving this forward. So many people are in housing need and housing stress in all constituencies. This issue needs to be addressed as a priority. Will you give that commitment?”
“I know that that is not always how things work out in our mainstream schools. We are seeing an increase in medical interventions being required. Referrals have to be made, and I want the Minister to assure us that schools will get the assistance that they require so as not to disenfranchise children with complex medical needs.”
“On the other hand, people with guaranteed annuity rates of less than £30,000 are exempt from seeking FCA-regulated advice, as it would be disproportionate for those with small pension pots to have to seek and pay for such advice. However, intervention is still required to ensure that those people understand the value of their GAR and can make an informed decision. It is also important that the providers issue personalised risk warnings to all members with GARs. <BR /> <BR />Issue relating to pensions are often complex, and I have tried to distil the information received by the Committee into the broad policy objectives that the regulations will implement. The Committee is content to recommend that the Assembly approve the regulations.”
“As the Minister stated, the regulations have the aim of simplifying the process of valuing members' pension savings classified as "safeguarded benefits" when determining whether the requirement to take financial advice applies. The regulations also aim to address potential information failures such as lack of full information, which is essential, given the complexity of pension arrangements. That will make it easier for people to make informed decisions about benefits with guaranteed annuity rates (GARs). People with safeguarded benefits of over £30,000 are required to get Financial Conduct Authority-regulated advice.”
“The Department for Communities has many strategies that have waited an awfully long time to be brought forward. I welcome the fact that the Minister hopes to bring some of those forward before the end of March. <BR /> <BR />We had a briefing last week with engaged communities, and it was highlighted to us that an arts strategy is lacking, just to add to the list. Will the Minister also consider that in the round?”
“I thank the Minister for saying "mesothelioma" so many times. That will maybe help me in what I have to say. <BR /> <BR />As detailed in the explanatory memorandum, the regulations increase mesothelioma payments by 2·4%, in line with the increase in industrial injuries benefit. The Committee is content to recommend that the Assembly approve the regulations.”
“They are necessary to ensure that the increased rates provided by the uprating order are implemented correctly. <BR /> <BR />The regulations, specifically regulation 4, include an increase in the amount that a person can earn in the preceding week without losing their entitlement to carer's allowance. The amount has increased from £120 a week to £123 a week. I am sure that Members will agree that carers are the unsung heroes of our social care sector, although the ability to earn an extra £3 will not noticeably improve their circumstances. There are also some increases in the earnings limit for child dependency payable with a carer's allowance, although those apply only to transitional cases. The Committee is content to recommend that the Assembly approve both sets of regulations.”
“2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019, the Committee was informed that that package of seven regulations makes technical provisions that cannot be made in an uprating order.”