Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5)

Part 1 U.K. Employment and support allowance

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 1 modified by 1995 c. 18, Sch. 1 para. 2(2) (as inserted (27.10.2008) by Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5), s. 70(2), Sch. 3 para. 12(6); S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(f))

C2 Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1907), regs. 1(2), 6(2)(a), Sch. 1

C3 Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/875), regs. 1(2), 6, Sch. 1 (which amending S.I. was revoked (27.8.2010) by SI 2010/1906, reg. 2)

C4 Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/875), regs. 1(2), 16, Sch. 2 (which amending S.I. was revoked (27.8.2010) by SI 2010/1906, reg. 2)

C5 Pt. 1 applied (with modifications (as amended)) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1907), regs. 1(2), 16(2)(a), Sch. 2; (1.5.2012) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Duration of Contributory Allowance) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/913), regs. 1(2), 10(4)

C6 Pt. 1 modified (22.2.2012) by The Social Security (Reciprocal Agreements) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/360), arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1, Sch. 2

[F1 Conditionality] E+W+S[F1 Work-related requirements] E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 11-11K substituted for ss. 11-16 (25.2.2013 for specified purposes, 29.4.2013 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), ss. 57(2), 150(3); S.I. 2013/358, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 12; S.I. 2013/983, art. 7(1)(d) (with art. 7(3)) (as amended: (1.7.2013) by S.I. 2013/1511, art. 6)

[F1 11 [F1 Work-focused health-related assessments[F1 Work-related requirements]] E+W+S

(1) Regulations may make provision for or in connection with imposing on a person who is—

(a) entitled to an employment and support allowance, and

(b) not a member of the support group,

a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused health-related assessments as a condition of continuing to be entitled to the full amount payable to him in respect of the allowance apart from the regulations.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) prescribing circumstances in which such a person is subject to a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused health-related assessments;

(b) for notifying such a person of any such requirement;

(c) prescribing the work-focused health-related assessments in which a person who is subject to such a requirement is required to take part;

(d) for the determination, and notification, of the time and place of any such assessment;

(e) prescribing circumstances in which a person attending such an assessment is to be regarded as having, or not having, taken part in it;

(f) for securing that the appropriate consequence follows if a person who is required under the regulations to take part in a work-focused health-related assessment—

(i) fails to take part in the assessment, and

(ii) does not, within a prescribed period, show that he had good cause for that failure;

(g) prescribing matters which are, or are not, to be taken into account in determining whether a person had good cause for any failure to comply with the regulations;

(h) prescribing circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as having good cause for any such failure.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(f), the appropriate consequence of a failure falling within that provision is that the amount payable to the person in question in respect of an employment and support allowance is reduced in accordance with regulations.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may, in particular, make provision for determining—

(a) the amount by which an allowance is to be reduced,

(b) when the reduction is to start, and

(c) how long it is to continue,

and may include provision prescribing circumstances in which the amount of the reduction is to be nil.

(5) Regulations under this section shall include provision for a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused health-related assessments to cease to have effect if the person subject to the requirement becomes a member of the support group.

(6) Regulations under this section may include provision—

(a) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe a requirement to take part in a work-focused health-related assessment that would otherwise apply to a person by virtue of such regulations is not to apply, or is to be treated as not having applied;

(b) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe such a requirement is not to apply until a prescribed time;

(c) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe the time and place of a work-focused health-related assessment in which a person is required by regulations under this section to take part may be redetermined.

(7) In this section, “work-focused health-related assessment” means an assessment by a health care professional approved by the Secretary of State which is carried out for the purpose of assessing—

(a) the extent to which a person still has capability for work,

(b) the extent to which his capability for work may be improved by the taking of steps in relation to his physical or mental condition, and

(c) such other matters relating to his physical or mental condition and the likelihood of his obtaining or remaining in work or being able to do so, as may be prescribed.

(8) In subsection (7), “health care professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse,

(c) an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 (c. 8), or

(d) a member of such other profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17) as may be prescribed.]

[F1 (1) The following provisions of this Part provide for the Secretary of State to impose work-related requirements with which persons entitled to an employment and support allowance must comply for the purposes of this Part.

(2) In this Part “work-related requirement” means—

(a) a work-focused interview requirement (see section 11B);

(b) a work preparation requirement (see section 11C).

(3) The work-related requirements which may be imposed on a person depend on which of the following groups the person falls into—

(a) persons subject to no work-related requirements (see section 11D);

(b) persons subject to work-focused interview requirement only (see section 11E);

(c) persons subject to work-focused interview and work preparation requirements (see section 11F).]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 11(1) modified (27.10.2008) by Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/794), regs. 1(a), 66(2)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 11(1) (2)(a)-(g) (3)-(5) (6)(a) (7)(c) in force at 18.3.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)

I2 S. 11(1) (2)(a)-(g) (3)-(5) (6)(a) (7)(c) in force at 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

I3 S. 11(2)(h)(6)(b)(c)(7)(a)(b)(8) in force at 27.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

[F1 11A Claimant commitment E+W+S

(1) A claimant commitment is a record of the responsibilities of a person entitled to an employment and support allowance in relation to the award of the allowance.

(2) A claimant commitment is to be prepared by the Secretary of State and may be reviewed and updated as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(3) A claimant commitment is to be in such form as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(4) A claimant commitment is to include—

(a) a record of the requirements that the person must comply with under this Part (or such of them as the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to include),

(b) any prescribed information, and

(c) any other information the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to include.

(5) For the purposes of this Part a person accepts a claimant commitment if, and only if, the claimant accepts the most up-to-date version of it in such manner as may be prescribed.]

[F1 11B Work-focused interview requirement E+W+S

(1) In this Part a “work-focused interview requirement” is a requirement that a person participate in one or more work-focused interviews as specified by the Secretary of State.

(2) A work-focused interview is an interview for prescribed purposes relating to work or work preparation.

(3) The purposes which may be prescribed under subsection (2) include in particular that of making it more likely in the opinion of the Secretary of State that the person will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(4) The Secretary of State may specify how, when and where a work-focused interview is to take place.]

[F1 11C Work preparation requirement E+W+S

(1) In this Part a “work preparation requirement” is a requirement that a person take particular action specified by the Secretary of State for the purpose of making it more likely in the opinion of the Secretary of State that the person will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-paid work).

(2) The Secretary of State may under subsection (1) specify the time to be devoted to any particular action.

(3) Action which may be specified under subsection (1) includes in particular—

(a) attending a skills assessment;

(b) improving personal presentation;

(c) participating in training;

(d) participating in an employment programme;

(e) undertaking work experience or a work placement;

(f) developing a business plan;

(g) any action prescribed for the purpose in subsection (1).

(4) The action which may be specified under subsection (1) includes taking part in a work-focused health-related assessment.

(5) In subsection (4) “work-focused health-related assessment” means an assessment by a health care professional approved by the Secretary of State which is carried out for the purpose of assessing—

(a) the extent to which the person's capability for work may be improved by taking steps in relation to their physical or mental condition, and

(b) such other matters relating to their physical or mental condition and the likelihood of their obtaining or remaining in work or being able to do so as may be prescribed.

(6) In subsection (5) “health care professional” means—

(a) a registered medical practitioner,

(b) a registered nurse,

(c) an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999, or

(d) a member of such other profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 as may be prescribed.]

[F1 11D Persons subject to no work-related requirements E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may not impose any work-related requirement on a person falling within this section.

(2) A person falls within this section if—

(a) the person has limited capability for work and work-related activity,

(b) the person has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person,

(c) the person is a single person responsible for a child under the age of 1,

(d) the person is of a prescribed description.

(3) Where a person falls within this section, any work-related requirement previously applying to the person ceases to have effect.

(4) In this section—

• “regular and substantial caring responsibilities” has such meaning as may be prescribed;

• “severely disabled“ has such meaning as may be prescribed.]

[F1 11E Persons subject to work-focused interview requirement only E+W+S

(1) A person falls within this section if—

(a) the person is a single person responsible for a child who is aged at least 1 and is under a prescribed age (which may not be less than 3), or

(b) the person is of a prescribed description.

(2) The Secretary of State may, subject to this Part, impose a work-focused interview requirement on a person entitled to an employment and support allowance who falls within this section.

(3) The Secretary of State may not impose a work preparation requirement on a person falling within this section (and, where a person falls within this section, a work preparation requirement previously applying to the person ceases to have effect).]

[F1 11F Persons subject to work preparation and work-focused interview requirement E+W+S

(1) A person who does not fall within section 11D or 11E falls within this section.

(2) The Secretary of State may, subject to this Part, impose a work preparation requirement or work-focused interview requirement on a person entitled to an employment and support allowance who falls within this section.]

[F1 11G Connected requirements E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may require a person entitled to an employment and support allowance to participate in an interview for any purpose relating to—

(a) the imposition of a work-related requirement on the person;

(b) verifying the person's compliance with a work-related requirement;

(c) assisting the person to comply with a work-related requirement.

(2) The Secretary of State may specify how, when and where such an interview is to take place.

(3) The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of verifying a person's compliance with a work-related requirement, require the person to—

(a) provide to the Secretary of State information and evidence specified by the Secretary of State in a manner so specified;

(b) confirm compliance in a manner so specified.

(4) The Secretary of State may require a person to report to the Secretary of State any specified changes in their circumstances which are relevant to—

(a) the imposition of work-related requirements on the person;

(b) the person's compliance with a work-related requirement.]

[F1 11H Imposition of requirements E+W+S

(1) Regulations may make provision—

(a) where the Secretary of State may impose a requirement under this Part, as to when the requirement must or must not be imposed;

(b) where the Secretary of State may specify any action to be taken in relation to a requirement under this Part, as to what action must or must not be specified;

(c) where the Secretary of State may specify any other matter in relation to a requirement under this Part, as to what must or must not be specified in respect of that matter.

(2) Where the Secretary of State may impose a work-focused interview requirement, or specify a particular action under section 11C(1), the Secretary of State must have regard to such matters as may be prescribed.

(3) Where the Secretary of State may impose a requirement under this Part, or specify any action to be taken in relation to such a requirement, the Secretary of State may revoke or change what has been imposed or specified.

(4) Notification of a requirement imposed under this Part (or any change to or revocation of such a requirement) is, if not included in the claimant commitment, to be in such manner as the Secretary of State may determine.

(5) Regulations must make provision to secure that, in prescribed circumstances, where a person has recently been a victim of domestic violence—

(a) a requirement imposed on that person under this Part ceases to have effect for a period of 13 weeks, and

(b) the Secretary of State may not impose any other requirement on that person during that period.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5)—

(a) “domestic violence“ has such meaning as may be prescribed;

(b) “victim of domestic violence” means a person on or against whom domestic violence is inflicted or threatened (and regulations under subsection (5) may prescribe circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being a victim of domestic violence);

(c) a person has recently been a victim of domestic violence if a prescribed period has not expired since the violence was inflicted or threatened.]

[F1 11I Compliance with requirements E+W+S

Regulations may make provision as to circumstances in which a person is to be treated as having—

(a) complied with or not complied with any requirement imposed under this Part or any aspect of such a requirement, or

(b) taken or not taken any particular action specified by the Secretary of State in relation to such a requirement.]

[F1 11J Sanctions E+W+S

(1) The amount of an award of an employment and support allowance is to be reduced in accordance with this section in the event of a failure by a person which is sanctionable under this section.

(2) It is a failure sanctionable under this section if a person—

(a) fails for no good reason to comply with a work-related requirement;

(b) fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement under section 11G.

(3) Regulations are to specify—

(a) the amount of a reduction under this section, and

(b) the period for which such a reduction has effect.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3)(b) may provide that a reduction under this section in relation to any failure is to have effect for—

(a) a period continuing until the person meets a compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State,

(b) a fixed period not exceeding 26 weeks which is—

(i) specified in the regulations, or

(ii) determined in any case by the Secretary of State, or

(c) a combination of both.

(5) In subsection (4)(a) “compliance condition” means—

(a) a condition that the failure ceases, or

(b) a condition relating to future compliance with a work-related requirement or a requirement under section 11G.

(6) A compliance condition specified under subsection (4)(a) may be—

(a) revoked or varied by the Secretary of State;

(b) notified to the person in such manner as the Secretary of State may determine.

(7) A period fixed under subsection (4)(b) may in particular depend on either or both the following—

(a) the number of failures by the person sanctionable under this section;

(b) the period between such failures.

(8) Regulations may provide—

(a) for cases in which no reduction is to be made under this section;

(b) for a reduction under this section made in relation to an award that is terminated to be applied to any new award made within a prescribed period of the termination;

(c) for the termination or suspension of a reduction under this section.]

[F1 11K Delegation and contracting out E+W+S

(1) The functions of the Secretary of State under sections 11 to 11I may be exercised by, or by the employees of, such person as the Secretary of State may authorise for the purpose (an “authorised person”).

(2) An authorisation given by virtue of this section may authorise the exercise of a function—

(a) wholly or to a limited extent;

(b) generally or in particular cases or areas;

(c) unconditionally or subject to conditions.

(3) An authorisation under this section—

(a) may specify its duration;

(b) may be varied or revoked at any time by the Secretary of State;

(c) does not prevent the Secretary of State or another person from exercising the function to which the authorisation relates.

(4) Anything done or omitted to be done by or in relation to an authorised person (or an employee of that person) in, or in connection with, the exercise or purported exercise of the function concerned is to be treated for all purposes as done or omitted to be done by or in relation to the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) an officer of the Secretary of State.

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply—

(a) for the purposes of so much of any contract made between the authorised person and the Secretary of State as relates to the exercise of the function, or

(b) for the purposes of any criminal proceedings brought in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the authorised person (or an employee of that person).

(6) Where—

(a) the authorisation of an authorised person is revoked, and

(b) at the time of the revocation so much of any contract made between the authorised person and the Secretary of State as relates to the exercise of the function is subsisting,

the authorised person is entitled to treat the contract as repudiated by the Secretary of State (and not as frustrated by reason of the revocation).]

[F1 12 Work-focused interviews E+W+S

(1) Regulations may make provision for or in connection with imposing on a person who is—

(a) entitled to an employment and support allowance, and

(b) not a member of the support group, [F2 or a lone parent of a child under the age of one]

a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused interviews as a condition of continuing to be entitled to the full amount payable to him in respect of the allowance apart from the regulations.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) prescribing circumstances in which such a person is subject to a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused interviews;

(b) for notifying such a person of any such requirement;

(c) prescribing the work-focused interviews in which a person who is subject to such a requirement is required to take part;

(d) for determining, in relation to work-focused interviews under the regulations, when and how the interview is to be conducted and, if it is to be conducted face to face, where it is to take place;

(e) for notifying persons who are required under the regulations to take part in a work-focused interview of what is determined in respect of the matters mentioned in paragraph (d);

(f) prescribing circumstances in which a person who is a party to a work-focused interview under the regulations is to be regarded as having, or not having, taken part in it;

(g) for securing that the appropriate consequence follows if a person who is required under the regulations to take part in a work-focused interview—

(i) fails to take part in the interview, and

(ii) does not, within a prescribed period, show that he had good cause for that failure;

(h) prescribing matters which are, or are not, to be taken into account in determining whether a person had good cause for any failure to comply with the regulations;

(i) prescribing circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as having good cause for any such failure.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(g), the appropriate consequence of a failure falling within that provision is that the amount payable to the person in question in respect of an employment and support allowance is reduced in accordance with regulations.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may, in particular, make provision for determining—

(a) the amount by which an allowance is to be reduced,

(b) when the reduction is to start, and

(c) how long it is to continue,

and may include provision prescribing circumstances in which the amount of the reduction is to be nil.

(5) Regulations under this section shall include provision for a requirement to take part in one or more work-focused interviews to cease to have effect if the person subject to the requirement becomes a member of the support group.

(6) Regulations under this section may include provision—

(a) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe a requirement to take part in a work-focused interview that would otherwise apply to a person by virtue of such regulations is not to apply, or is to be treated as not having applied;

(b) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe such a requirement is not to apply until a prescribed time;

(c) that in such circumstances as the regulations may prescribe matters mentioned in subsection (2)(d) may be redetermined.

(7) In this section, “work-focused interview” means an interview by the Secretary of State conducted for such purposes connected with getting the person interviewed into work, or keeping him in work, as may be prescribed.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 12(1)(b) inserted (31.10.2011) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), ss. 3(3), 61(3); S.I. 2011/2427, art. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 12 applied (with modifications) by 1983 c. 20, s. 78A(3) (as inserted (3.11.2008) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2833), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 60)

C9 S. 12(1) modified (27.10.2008) by Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/794), regs. 1(a), 66(3)

Commencement Information

I4 S. 12(1) (2)(a)-(h) (3)-(7) in force at 18.3.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)

I5 S. 12(1) (2)(a)-(h) (3)-(7) in force at 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

I6 S. 12(2)(i) in force at 27.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

[F1 13 Work-related activity E+W+S

(1) Regulations may make provision for or in connection with imposing on a person who is subject to a requirement imposed under section 12(1) a requirement to undertake work-related activity in accordance with regulations as a condition of continuing to be entitled to the full amount payable to him in respect of an employment and support allowance apart from the regulations.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision—

(a) prescribing circumstances in which such a person is subject to a requirement to undertake work-related activity in accordance with regulations;

(b) for notifying such a person of any such requirement;

(c) prescribing the time or times at which a person who is subject to such a requirement is required to undertake work-related activity and the amount of work-related activity he is required at any time to undertake;

(d) prescribing circumstances in which a person who is subject to such a requirement is, or is not, to be regarded as undertaking work-related activity;

(e) for securing that the appropriate consequence follows if a person who is subject to such a requirement—

(i) fails to comply with the regulations, and

(ii) does not, within a prescribed period, show that he had good cause for that failure;

(f) prescribing the evidence which a person who is subject to such a requirement needs to provide in order to show that he has complied with the regulations;

(g) prescribing matters which are, or are not, to be taken into account in determining whether a person has complied with the regulations;

(h) prescribing matters which are, or are not, to be taken into account in determining whether a person had good cause for any failure to comply with the regulations;

(i) prescribing circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as having good cause for any such failure.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(e), the appropriate consequence of a failure falling within that provision is that the amount payable to the person in question in respect of an employment and support allowance is to be reduced in accordance with regulations.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may, in particular, make provision for determining—

(a) the amount by which an allowance is to be reduced,

(b) when the reduction is to start, and

(c) how long it is to continue,

and may include provision prescribing circumstances in which the amount of the reduction is to be nil.

(5) Regulations under this section shall include provision for a requirement to undertake work-related activity in accordance with regulations to cease to have effect if the person subject to the requirement becomes a member of the support group.

(6) Regulations under this section may include provision that in such circumstances as the regulations may provide a person's obligation under the regulations to undertake work-related activity at a particular time is not to apply, or is to be treated as not having applied.

(7) In this Part, “work-related activity”, in relation to a person, means activity which makes it more likely that the person will obtain or remain in work or be able to do so.

[F3 (8) The reference to activity in subsection (7) includes work experience or a work placement.]]

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 13(8) inserted (3.12.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), ss. 55, 150(3); S.I. 2012/2530, art. 2(3)

Commencement Information

I7 S. 13(1)-(6) in force at 11.2.2011 by S.I. 2011/330, art. 2(a)

I8 S. 13(7) in force at 28.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/2772, art. 2

[F1 14 Action plans in connection with work-focused interviews E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State shall in prescribed circumstances provide a person subject to a requirement imposed under section 12(1) with a document prepared for such purposes as may be prescribed (in this section referred to as an action plan).

(2) Regulations may make provision about—

(a) the form of action plans;

(b) the content of action plans;

(c) the review and updating of action plans.

(3) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for action plans which are provided to a person who is subject under section 13 to a requirement to undertake work-related activity to contain particulars of activity which, if undertaken, would enable the requirement to be met.

(4) Regulations may make provision for reconsideration of an action plan at the request of the person to whom the plan is provided and may, in particular, make provision about—

(a) the circumstances in which reconsideration may be requested;

(b) the period within which any reconsideration must take place;

(c) the matters to which regard must be had when deciding on reconsideration whether the plan should be changed;

(d) notification of the decision on reconsideration;

(e) the giving of directions for the purpose of giving effect to the decision on reconsideration.]

Commencement Information

I9 S. 14(1)(2)(a)(b) in force at 18.3.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)

I10 S. 14(1)(2)(a)(b) in force at 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

I11 S. 14(2)(c) in force at 27.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

[F1 15 Directions about work-related activity E+W+S

[F4 (1) In prescribed circumstances, the Secretary of State may by direction given to a person subject to a requirement imposed under section 13(1) provide that the activity specified in the direction is—

(a) to be the only activity which, in the person’s case, is to be regarded as being work-related activity; or

(b) to be regarded, in the person’s case, as not being work-related activity.

(1A) But a direction under subsection (1) may not specify medical or surgical treatment as the only activity which, in any person’s case, is to be regarded as being work-related activity.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) given to any person—

(a) must be reasonable, having regard to the person’s circumstances;

(b) must be given to the person by being included in an action plan provided to the person under section 14; and

(c) may be varied or revoked by a subsequent direction under subsection (1).]

(3) Where a direction under subsection (1) varies or revokes a previous direction, it may provide for the variation or revocation to have effect from a time before the giving of the direction.]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 15(1)(1A)(2) substituted for s. 15(1)(2) (10.2.2010) by Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24), ss. 10, 61(3); S.I. 2010/293, art. 2(1)(a)

Commencement Information

I12 S. 15 in force at 11.2.2011 by S.I. 2011/330, art. 2(b)

F5 F1 15A Persons dependent on drugs etc. E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 15A repealed (8.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), ss. 60(2), 150(2)(b)

[F1 16 Contracting out E+W+S

(1) The following functions of the Secretary of State may be exercised by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as the Secretary of State may authorise for the purpose, namely—

(a) conducting interviews under section 12;

(b) providing documents under section 14;

(c) giving, varying or revoking directions under section 15.

F6 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Regulations may provide for any of the following functions of the Secretary of State to be exercisable by, or by employees of, such person (if any) as the Secretary of State may authorise for the purpose—

(a) any function under regulations under any of sections 11 to 15 F7 ..., except the making of a decision to which subsection (3) applies (an “excluded decision”);

(b) the function under section 9(1) of the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14) (revision of decisions), so far as relating to decisions, except excluded decisions, that relate to any matter arising under such regulations;

(c) the function under section 10(1) of that Act (superseding of decisions), so far as relating to decisions, except excluded decisions, of the Secretary of State that relate to any matter arising under such regulations;

(d) any function under Chapter 2 of Part 1 of that Act (social security decisions), except section 25(2) and (3) (decisions involving issues that arise on appeal in other cases), which relates to the exercise of any of the functions falling within paragraphs (a) to (c).

(3) This subsection applies to the following decisions—

(a) a decision about whether a person has failed to comply with a requirement imposed by regulations under section 11, 12 or 13 F8 ...;

(b) a decision about whether a person had good cause for failure to comply with such a requirement;

(c) a decision about reduction of an employment and support allowance in consequence of failure to comply with such a requirement.

(4) Regulations under subsection (2) may provide that a function to which that subsection applies may be exercised—

(a) either wholly or to such extent as the regulations may provide,

(b) either generally or in such cases or areas as the regulations may provide, and

(c) either unconditionally or subject to the fulfilment of such conditions as the regulations may provide.

(5) An authorisation given by virtue of subsection (1), or by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), may authorise the exercise of the function concerned—

(a) either wholly or to such extent as may be specified in the authorisation,

(b) either generally or in such cases or areas as may be so specified, and

(c) either unconditionally or subject to the fulfilment of such conditions as may be so specified.

(6) In the case of an authorisation given by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), subsection (5) is subject to the provisions of the regulations.

(7) An authorisation given by virtue of subsection (1), or by virtue of regulations under subsection (2)—

(a) may specify its duration,

(b) may be revoked at any time by the Secretary of State, and

(c) shall not prevent the Secretary of State or any other person from exercising the function to which the authorisation relates.

(8) Where a person is authorised to exercise any function by virtue of subsection (1), or by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), anything done or omitted to be done by or in relation to him (or an employee of his) in, or in connection with, the exercise or purported exercise of the function shall be treated for all purposes as done or omitted to be done by or in relation to the Secretary of State.

(9) Subsection (8) shall not apply—

(a) for the purposes of so much of any contract made between the authorised person and the Secretary of State as relates to the exercise of the function, or

(b) for the purposes of any criminal proceedings brought in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the authorised person (or an employee of his).

(10) Any decision which a person authorised to exercise any function by virtue of subsection (1), or by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), makes in exercise of the function shall have effect as a decision of the Secretary of State under section 8 of the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14).

(11) Where—

(a) a person is authorised to exercise any function by virtue of subsection (1), or by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), and

(b) the authorisation is revoked at a time when a relevant contract is subsisting,

the authorised person shall be entitled to treat the relevant contract as repudiated by the Secretary of State (and not as frustrated by reason of the revocation).

(12) In subsection (11), the reference to a relevant contract is to so much of any contract made between the authorised person and the Secretary of State as relates to the exercise of the function.

(13) In this section, references to functions of the Secretary of State under—

(a) an enactment contained in, or in regulations under, this Part, or

(b) an enactment contained in Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Social Security Act 1998,

include a reference to any function which the Secretary of State has by virtue of the application in relation to that enactment of section 8(1)(c) of that Act (decisions under certain enactments to be made by the Secretary of State).]

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 16(1)(d)-(f) repealed (8.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(2)(b), Sch. 14 Pt. 6

F7 Words in s. 16(2)(a) repealed (8.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(2)(b), Sch. 14 Pt. 6

F8 Words in s. 16(3)(a) repealed (8.5.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(2)(b), Sch. 14 Pt. 6

Commencement Information

I13 S. 16(1) (2)(b)-(d) (3) (5)-(13) in force at 27.10.2008 by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

I14 S. 16(2)(a)(4) in force at 18.3.2008 for specified purposes by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(1)

I15 S. 16(2)(a)(4) in force at 27.10.2008 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/787, art. 2(4)(a)

[F9 [F10 16A Hardship payments E+W+S

(1) Regulations may make provision for the making of payments (“hardship payments”) by way of an employment and support allowance to a person where—

(a) the amount otherwise payable to the person in respect of an employment and support allowance is reduced by virtue of regulations under section 11(3), 12(3) or 13(3), and

(b) the person is or will be in hardship.

(2) Regulations under this section may in particular make provision as to—

(a) circumstances in which a person is to be treated as being or not being in hardship;

(b) matters to be taken into account in determining whether a person is or will be in hardship;

(c) requirements or conditions to be met by a person in order to receive hardship payments;

(d) the amount or rate of hardship payments;

(e) the period for which hardship payments may be made.]]

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 16A inserted (26.11.2012) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), ss. 56, 150(3); S.I. 2012/2530, art. 2(4)

F10 S. 16A repealed (29.4.2013 for specified purposes and subsequently on the days on which and for the purposes for which "the amending provisions" are brought into force by secondary legislation) by Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), s. 150(3), Sch. 14 Pt. 5; S.I. 2013/983, art. 7(1)(f) (with art. 7(2)) (as amended: (1.7.2013) by S.I. 2013/1511, art. 6)