The Universal Credit (Work-Related Requirements) In Work Pilot Scheme and Amendment Regulations 2015

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations establish a pilot scheme under section 41 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c.5) for the purpose of testing the imposition of work-related requirements on universal credit claimants in paid work where those requirements would otherwise be suspended by virtue of regulation 99(6) of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/376). These Regulations also substitute a new regulation 99(6).

Part 1 contains introductory provisions.

Part 2 contains an amendment to the Universal Credit Regulations. This replaces the Secretary of State's discretion to suspend work search and work availability requirements where the claimant is in paid work with provision for those requirements to be suspended where the claimant, or the claimant and their partner, have weekly earnings from employment of a specified amount.

Part 3 provides for the pilot scheme:

Regulation 4 sets out the provision being tested (that is the omission of the provision in regulation 99(6) that suspends work search and work availability requirements where weekly earnings as an employed earner reach a specified level). It also specifies the purpose for which that provision is being tested, the claimants to whom it applies and the circumstances in which a claimant who has been selected ceases to be subject to that provision.

Regulation 5 provides for the selection of persons to whom the provision in regulation 4(2) is to apply from a pool of “qualifying claimants”.

Regulation 6 provides for claimants to be notified when they are selected for the pilot scheme and when they cease to be subject to the scheme.

Regulation 7 defines a “qualifying claimant”. This is a person to whom regulation 99(6) would apply subject to some exceptions, for example where the person has suffered bereavement or is a victim of domestic violence.

Regulation 8 provides for the pilot scheme to expire after three years unless continued by an order of the Secretary of State.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on business and civil society organisations. This instrument has no impact on the public sector.