The Social Security Advisory Committee has agreed that proposals in respect of these Regulations should not be referred to it( 2 ).

Citation and commencement

1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews for Partners) Amendment Regulations 2008.

(2) They shall come into force on 28th April 2008.

Amendment of the Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews for Partners) Regulations 2003

2. —(1)The Social Security (Jobcentre Plus Interviews for Partners) Regulations 2003( 3 ) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation and application)—

(a) in the heading, omit “and application”;

(b) in paragraph (1), in the definition of “partner” omit paragraph (a);

(c) omit paragraph (2).

(3) For regulation 3 (requirement for partner to take part in an interview as a condition of a specified benefit continuing to be paid at full amount) substitute—

“ Partner of a person claiming a specified benefit to take part in an interview

3. —(1) Subject to regulations 5 to 8, a partner to whom this regulation applies is required to take part in an interview as a condition of the claimant continuing to be paid the full amount of a specified benefit which is payable apart from these Regulations.

(2) This regulation applies to a partner of a person claiming a specified benefit where—

(a) the claimant has been continuously entitled to a specified benefit for at least 26 weeks;

(b) the claimant has been awarded the benefit at a higher rate referable to the partner;

(c) the benefit is administered from a designated Jobcentre Plus Office ( 4 ) ; and

(d) the partner has not taken part or been required to take part in an interview under these Regulations.

(3) Where a requirement to take part in an interview arises under this regulation in relation to a particular specified benefit, the requirement also applies in relation to any other specified benefit in payment to the claimant at a higher rate referable to his partner on the date set for the interview and notified to the partner in accordance with regulation 9(1).

Partner of a person claiming jobseeker’s allowance to take part in an interview where child or qualifying young person in household

3A. —(1) Subject to regulations 5 to 8, a partner to whom this regulation applies is required to take part in an interview as a condition of the claimant continuing to be paid the full amount of a jobseeker’s allowance which is payable apart from these Regulations.

(2) This regulation applies to a partner of a person claiming a jobseeker’s allowance where—

(a) the claimant or the partner is responsible for a child or qualifying young person who is a member of that person’s household;

(b) the claimant has been continuously entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance for at least 26 weeks;

(c) the claimant has been awarded that benefit at a higher rate referable to the partner;

(d) the benefit is administered at a designated Jobcentre Plus Office; and

(e) the partner has taken part or failed to take part in an interview under these Regulations.

(3) The requirement to take part in an interview under this regulation arises every six months, on a date to be determined in accordance with paragraphs (4) and (5).

(4) Where the interview referred to in paragraph (2)(e) was on a date before 28th October 2007—

(a) the requirement arises for the first time on 28th April 2008; and

(b) it then arises again every six months after the date on which the partner last took part or failed to take part in an interview.

(5) Where the interview referred to in paragraph (2)(e) was on a date on or after 28th October 2007, the requirement arises every six months after the date on which the partner last took part or failed to take part in an interview.

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), “child” and “qualifying young person” are to be construed in accordance with section 142 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 ( 5 ) .

(7) References in paragraphs (2)(e), (4) and (5) to a partner having taken part in an interview are to be construed as including cases where the partner is treated as having taken part in an interview under regulation 5 or 6. ” .

(4) In regulation 4 (time when interview is to take place), for “3(1)” substitute “3 or 3A”.

(5) In regulation 5(2) (waiver of requirement to take part in an interview) and regulation 6(3) (deferment of requirement to take part in an interview) omit “for the purposes of regulation 3”.

(6) In regulation 7 (exemption), for “3(1) or 6(2)” substitute “3, 3A or 6(2)”.

(7) In regulation 11 (failure to take part in an interview)—

(a) in paragraph (1), for “3” substitute “3 or 3A”;

(b) in paragraph (4), for “regulation 3” substitute “these Regulations”.

(8) In regulation 12 (circumstances where regulation 11 does not apply), for “these Regulations apply under the provisions within regulation 2(2)” substitute “regulation 3 or 3A applies”.