Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Council Tax Benefit (General) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1814), the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1971), the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1967), the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/207) and the Social Security (Work-focused Interviews) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/897).

In particular, these Regulations make necessary changes to those regulations to reflect the establishment of the Learning and Skills Council and the National Council for Education and Training for Wales (“the Councils”) by the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21). Regulation 2(b) amends those regulations to reflect that certain training allowances are payable by the Learning and Skills Council and by the National Assembly for Wales. Regulations 3, 4 and 5(c) substitute references in those regulations to the Further Education and Funding Councils for both England and Wales and to a Training or Enterprise Council with references to the Councils. Regulations 5(a) and (b) and 6 reflect the establishment of the Connexions Service by that Act.

Regulation 2(a) amends the definition of the “self-employment route” in those regulations to include assistance in pursuing self-employed earner’s employment whilst participating in a course of training or instruction funded by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

These Regulations do not impose any charge on business.