The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 123(1)(d), 136(5)(a) and (b), 137(1) and 175(1), (3), (4) and (6) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 19921, sections 12(4)(a) and (b), 17A(1), (2), (5)(a) and (b), 20E(3)(a), 29, 35(1) and 36(2), (4) and (4A) of the Jobseekers Act 19952 and sections 30 and 146(1) and (2) of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 19963.

These Regulations are made with a view to ascertaining whether their provisions will, or will be likely to, encourage persons to obtain or remain in work or will, or will be likely to, make it more likely that persons will obtain or remain in work or be able to do so4.

These Regulations are made with the consent of the Treasury in respect of provisions relating to section 305 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

In respect of provisions in these Regulations relating to housing benefit, organisations appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of the authorities concerned have agreed that consultations need not be undertaken6.

The Social Security Advisory Committee has agreed that the proposals in respect of these Regulations should not be referred to it7.

A draft of this instrument was laid before Parliament in accordance with section 37(2) of the Jobseekers Act 1995 and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.