12 February 2010 – Consultation: The Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance (Work-Focused Interviews, Work-Related Activity, etc.) (Lone Parents and Partners) Regulations 2010 – to enable the introduction of the Progression to Work pathfinders from 25 October 2010
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for the above named regulations.
The pathfinders will introduce personalised conditionality and support for:
- Lone parents who are entitled to Income Support (IS) as lone parents with a youngest child aged between 3 and 6 years; and
- Partners of Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) customers and partners of certain Income Support (IS) customers, where either of them is responsible for a youngest child aged between 3 and 6 years.
There will be a requirement for customers to undertake work-related activities supported by action planning, which will aim to move them closer to the labour market. The new requirements will be underpinned by a new escalating sanctions regime.
Before the Committee considers and reports on these proposals, it would like to hear from organisations and individuals who have views, in particular on the following aspects of the proposed changes:
- The potential impacts on lone parent families and families coping with health conditions, of a sanctions regime of this nature,
- The potential impacts of this sanctions regime on child poverty,
- The practical implications for customers, and Jobcentre Plus staff and their programme-providing partners, of the form of conditionality that is proposed.
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 9628370) or from the SSAC website: www.ssac.org.uk.
Representations should be sent to the Committee at SSAC, North East spur level 3, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT, or by email to ssac@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, or via the consultation response facility on the website, to arrive no later than 29 March 2010.
Notes to 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.
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