Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Employment Zones Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2438) (“the 2003 Regulations”) which make provision for jobseeker’s allowance claimants to participate in an employment zone programme established by the Secretary of State in areas of Great Britain known as “employment zones” to assist jobseekers to obtain sustainable employment.

Regulation 2 provides for references to “Employment Zones Regulations” to include the Employment Zones (Allocation to Contractors) Pilot Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/962), amends the definition of “New Deal for Young People programme” to include the Gateway to Work provision, amends regulation 2 and substitutes regulation 3. The amendments to regulation 2 provide for a jobseeker who does not have a fixed address to participate in the employment zone programme where the address for payment of his jobseeker’s allowance is within an employment zone and makes provision for time previously spent on an employment zone programme to be taken into account. The substituted regulation 3 requires a jobseeker aged under 25 to have taken part in a New Deal for Young People programme before applying for early entry to an employment zone programme.

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