Welfare Reform Bill (HL Bill 75)

(2) A work-focused interview is an interview for prescribed purposes
20relating to work or work preparation.

(3) The purposes which may be prescribed under subsection (2) include in
particular that of making it more likely in the opinion of the Secretary
of State that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or
better-paid work).

(4) 25The Secretary of State may specify how, when and where a work-
focused interview is to take place.

6C Work preparation requirement

(1) In this Act a “work preparation requirement” is a requirement that a
claimant take particular action specified by the Secretary of State for the
30purpose of making it more likely in the opinion of the Secretary of State
that the claimant will obtain paid work (or more paid work or better-
paid work).

(2) The Secretary of State may under subsection (1) specify the time to be
devoted to any particular action.

(3) 35Action which may be specified under subsection (1) includes in
particular—

(a) attending a skills assessment;

(b) improving personal presentation;

(c) participating in training;

(d) 40participating in an employment programme;

(e) undertaking work experience or a work placement;

(f) developing a business plan;

(g) any action prescribed for the purpose in subsection (1).

6D Work search requirement

(1) 45In this Part a “work search requirement” is a requirement that a
claimant take—

(a) all reasonable action, and

(b) any particular action specified by the Secretary of State,

for the purpose of obtaining paid work (or more paid work or better-
50paid work).

(2) The Secretary of State may under subsection (1)(b) specify the time to
be devoted to any particular action.

(3) Action which may be specified under subsection (1)(b) includes in
particular—

(a) 55carrying out work searches;

(b) making applications;

(c) creating and maintaining an online profile;

(d) registering with an employment agency;

(e) seeking references;

(f) 60any other action prescribed for the purpose in subsection (1).

(4) Regulations may impose limitations on a work search requirement by
reference to the work to which it relates; and the Secretary of State may
in any particular case specify further such limitations on such a
requirement.

(5) 65A limitation under subsection (4) may in particular be by reference to—

(a) work of a particular nature,

(b) work with a particular level of remuneration,

(c) work in particular locations, or

(d) work available for a certain number of hours per week or at
70particular times,

and may be indefinite or for a particular period.

6E Work availability requirement

(1) In this Act a “work availability requirement” is a requirement that a
claimant be available for work.

(2) 75For the purposes of this section “available for work” means able and
willing immediately to take up paid work (or more paid work or better-
paid work).

(3) Regulations may impose limitations on a work availability requirement
by reference to the work to which it relates; and the Secretary of State
80may in any particular case specify further such limitations on such a
requirement.

(4) A limitation under subsection (3) may in particular be by reference to—

(a) work of a particular nature,

(b) work with a particular level of remuneration,

(c) 85work in particular locations, or

(d) work available for a certain number of hours per week or at
particular times,

and may be indefinite or for a particular period.