Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision for the introduction of work-focused interviews in the postcode districts specified in Schedule 1.

Part I of these Regulations contains general provisions relating to their citation, commencement and interpretation (regulations 1 and 2). They also provide for the Regulations to apply in certain areas only.

Part II relates to the work-focused interview. Regulation 3 specifies those persons claiming social security benefits who are required to take part in a work-focused interview. Regulation 4 specifies a number of exemptions. Regulation 5 specifies circumstances in which a claimant’s continuing entitlement to the full amount of benefit is to be dependent upon his taking part in a work-focused interview.

Regulations 6 and 7 contain provisions as to waiver and deferment. Regulation 8 specifies when a requirement to take part in two or more work-focused interviews is satisfied by the person taking part in a single interview.

Regulation 10 sets out the requirements for taking part in a work-focused interview and regulation 11 details the consequences of a failure to take part in the interview. Regulation 12 specifies circumstances where those consequences do not apply. Regulation 13 specifies the matters to be taken into account in determining whether a person had good cause for his failure to take part in an interview.

Regulation 14 provides a right of appeal against a decision that a person did not take part in a work-focused interview.

Regulation 15 and Schedules 2 to 4 contain amendments consequential upon these changes.

These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.