Explanatory note

These Regulations establish a pilot scheme relating to persons who claim a jobseeker’s allowance and who fulfil the criteria specified in regulation 3 as to age, period over which they have been receiving benefit and the location of the appropriate offices at which they are claiming benefit, as identified in the Schedule to these Regulations.

The Pilot Scheme is to last for 1 year from 10th January 2005 to 9th January 2006, unless revoked with effect from an earlier date.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 75(1)(a)(iv) of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (S.I. 1996/207) with the effect that if a person without good cause refuses or fails to participate in the employment programme known as the Intensive Activity Period or gives up his place on this programme, he will be subject to a sanction under section 19 or 20A of the Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18). The effect of this will be the loss or reduction of his jobseeker’s allowance for a period of two, four or twenty-six weeks.

Regulation 3 further provides that where a person on the Intensive Activity Programme informs the Secretary of State of a change of address that results in an employment officer notifying him to under regulation 23 or 23A of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 to attend a place that is not an appropriate office for the purposes of these Regulations then any sanctions incurred by that person for refusing or failing to participate in, or giving up his place on the programme shall end and these Regulations shall no longer apply to that person.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for the instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.