Explanatory note

These Regulations amend regulation 14A of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996, which makes provision for a jobseeker’s allowance claimant to be treated as meeting the requirement to be available for work for a period of 4 weeks on notifying the Secretary of State that they have had domestic violence inflicted on or threatened against them at any time in the 26 weeks before that notification, by their partner, a former partner or a family member.

These Regulations amend the definition of “domestic violence” in paragraph (10) of that regulation.

The definition of domestic violence previously referred to abuse of a kind specified on page 11 of section 2.2. of “Responding to domestic abuse: a handbook for health professionals” published by the Department of Health in December 2005. However, the cross-Government definition of domestic violence changed on 31 March 2013 and includes incidents of controlling or coercive behaviour, violence or abuse including, but not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse. The amendment made by these Regulations reflects the new cross-Government definition.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on businesses and civil society organisations. The instrument has no impact on the public sector.