Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001. They impose a requirement for additional work-focused interviews on certain lone parents making claims for income support on or after 8th April 2002.

For lone parents claiming income support on or after 8th April 2002, the requirement to participate in work-focused interviews will arise when their youngest child is aged 3 years. Lone parents already claiming income support will be required to take part in work-focused interviews when their youngest child reaches 5 years and 3 months. Also, an additional work-focused interview will be required six months after lone parents have taken part, or were treated as having taken part, in an initial interview.

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 a charge on business.