6 July 2009 – Consultation: the Job Seeker’s Allowance (Skills Training cconditionality Pilot) Amendment Regulations 2010
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for The Job Seeker’s Allowance (Skills Training Conditionality Pilot) Regulations 2010.
The proposed regulations would test skills conditionality in a random assignment pilot for Jobseeker’s Allowance recipients for whom skills have been identified as a key barrier to being able to compete in the labour market. The pilot provides for the application of sanctions to those who do not participate in training, including pre-entry interviews. The pilot will be implemented in England only.
Before the Committee considers and reports on these proposals, it would like to hear from organisations and individuals who have views. The Committee would especially like to hear respondents’ views on the use and impact of benefit sanctions, and the role of mandatory training in supporting benefit claimants into work
Those wishing to make representations to the Committee may obtain a copy of the Department’s explanatory memorandum, and a copy of the draft regulations from the Secretary to the Committee, Gill Saunders (0207 412 1506) or from the SSAC website: www.ssac.org.uk. Representations should be sent to the Committee at New Court, 48 Carey Street, London, WC2A 2LS, or by email to ssac@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, or via the consultation response facility on the website, to arrive no later than 3 August 2009.
Note for Editors:
The SSAC is the main UK advisory body for all social security matters except those relating to industrial injuries, war pensions, occupational pensions, and National Insurance contributions. Most proposals for social security regulations have to be submitted to the SSAC before they are made. When the Committee reports on regulations, the report is laid before Parliament with the regulations and a statement from the Secretary of State responding to any recommendations the Committee has made.
