Exemption from jobseeking conditions for victims of domestic violence
23.—(1) In Schedule 1 to the Jobseekers Order (supplementary provisions), after paragraph 8A insert—
“8B.—(1) This paragraph applies if domestic violence has been inflicted on or threatened against a person (“V”) in prescribed circumstances.
(2) The Department must exercise the powers to make regulations under Articles 8(4) and 9(4) so as to secure that, for an exempt period, V is treated as—
(a)being available for employment; and
(b)actively seeking employment.
(3) If V has not entered into a jobseeker’s agreement before the exempt period begins, the Department must also exercise the power to make regulations under Article 11(10) so as to secure that V is treated as having entered into a jobseeker’s agreement which is in force for the exempt period.
(4) In this paragraph—
“domestic violence” has such meaning as may be prescribed;
“exempt period” means a period of 13 weeks beginning no later than a prescribed period after the date (or last date) on which the domestic violence was inflicted or threatened.
(5) Regulations may make provision for the purposes of this paragraph prescribing circumstances in which domestic violence is, or is not, to be regarded as being inflicted on or threatened against a person.”.
(2) In Article 37(1)(c) of that Order (regulations subject to the confirmatory procedure), after “or paragraph” insert “8B or”.