The Employment Zones (Amendment) Regulations 2007

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend regulation 2 of the Employment Zones Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2438) (“the 2003 Regulations”). The 2003 Regulations make provision for jobseeker’s allowance claimants to participate in an employment zone programme established by the Secretary of State in areas of Great Britain known as “employment zones” to assist jobseekers to obtain sustainable employment.

Where more than one contractor provides an employment zone programme in the zone where the claimant resides or receives his jobseeker’s allowance, the amendments provide for a jobseeker to select the contractor - except where the jobseeker has previously begun an employment zone programme but has not completed that programme. In this case the jobseeker may be directed to complete the programme with the same employment zone contractor. If the jobseeker fails to choose a contractor when requested to do so by an employment officer, the officer may direct him to take part in an employment zone programme operated by a particular contractor.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business, charities or the voluntary sector.