Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
The Regulations contained in this Instrument are made either by virtue of, or in consequence of, provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c.30) (“the 1999 Act"). This Instrument is made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the coming into force of those provisions; the regulations in it are therefore exempt from the requirement in section 172(1) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5) to refer proposals to make these Regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee and are made without reference to that Committee.
Regulations 1 and 2 refer to citation, commencement and interpretation.
Regulation 3 describes the purposes of a work-focused interview.
Regulation 4 confers upon local authorities functions relating to the conduct of work-focused interviews. Regulation 5 confers on local authorities the function of taking claims for a number of social security benefits identified in the Regulations. The claims are forwarded to the Secretary of State.
Regulation 6 confers similar powers on local authorities in relation to claims for war pensions and applications relating to child support.
Regulation 7 enables bodies to whom social security information is supplied to hold that information and regulation 8 provides for the provision of information to persons making claims for social security.
Regulations 9 to 12 enable claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit to be made to offices of the Department of Social Security are to be forwarded to the local authority’s offices.
Regulations 13 to 15 contain provisions relating to the use and supply of information.
Regulation 16 enables certain social security information to be supplied to the partners of person’s claiming a jobseeker’s allowance.
Regulation 17 enables social security information to be supplied to partners of claimants in receipt of any of four named benefits.
Regulation 18 and Schedule 3 contain consequential provisions.
These Regulations do not impose a charge on business.