Explanatory note

These Regulations replace, with modifications, the pilot scheme established by the Income Support (Pilot Scheme) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1252) and the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Pilot Scheme) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/1307) with a further pilot scheme. The scheme relates to persons who have been claiming income support, unemployment benefit or jobseeker’s allowance or a combination of benefits and who fulfil the criteria in regulation 3 as to age, the period over which they have been receiving benefit and location of appropriate offices at which they are required to attend (as identified in the Schedule) (“relevant persons”).

Regulation 4 has the effect that if a person who is a relevant person for the purpose of these Regulations without good cause refuses or fails to participate in the employment programme known as Project Work or loses his place on Project Work due to misconduct, he will receive a sanction under section 19 of the Jobseekers Act and the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (S.I. 1996/207). The effect of this will be a two week or four week loss or reduction in his jobseeker’s allowance.

Regulation 5 adds to the list of circumstances to be regarded as good cause for any act or omission for the purposes of section 19 of the Jobseekers Act.

Regulation 6 includes transitional provisions.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on businesses.