Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 by prescribing that a joint-claim couple shall include those childless couples where at least one member was born after 28th October 1957. They also allow one member of such a couple to continue to claim a jobseeker’s allowance where that member was entitled to that allowance on 27th October 2002, but only until the member of the couple who is not entitled to an allowance on that day is notified that he or she is required to attend at a time and place specified by an employment officer.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.

These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.