Explanatory note

This Order brings into operation the following provisions of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010—

1. a)

   section 11(1) to (4) and (6) (conditions for contributory jobseeker’s allowance), and

2. b)

   section 12(1) to (4) (conditions for contributory employment and support allowance).

Section 11 amends the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 so that the first contribution condition for jobseeker’s allowance is met by the claimant having paid, or being treated as having paid, at least 26 weeks of Class 1 contributions on relevant earnings at the base year’s lower earnings limit in one of two tax years prior to the claim. Subsection (3) of that section provides for a regulation-making power which will be used to make provision for determining the claimant’s relevant earnings.

Section 12 makes similar amendments to the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 in relation to the first contribution condition for employment and support allowance. Subsection (2) of that section further amends that Act so that the number of tax years in which a person can pay national insurance contributions and qualify for employment and support allowance is reduced from three years to two.