(1) Subject to subsection (2), regulations may provide for entitling to an increase of benefit or assistance (other than supplementary welfare allowance), as the case may be, payable in respect of a qualified adult, a claimant or beneficiary who would be entitled to an increase but for the fact that his or her spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has income in excess of a prescribed amount.

(2) Regulations for the purposes of subsection (1) shall provide that the increase payable by virtue of those regulations shall be payable at a rate less than the appropriate rate specified in Schedule 2 or 4, as the case may be, and the rate specified by the regulations may vary by reference to the amount by which the income of the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant exceeds the amount prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1).

(3) In this section "benefit" means benefit under Part 2.