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Welfare Reform Bill

Amendment 18 18: Clause 2, page 9, line 5, at end insert— "2H Required competencies for persons exercising functions of Secretary of State (1) Any person exercising the functions of the Secretary of State under sections 2A, 2D, 2E, 2F, in relation to income support, including any person authorised under section 2G, shall have the required competencies. (2) The Secretary of State shall by regulations make provision for the required competencies as indicated in subsection (1). (3) The provision which shall be made by regulations under subsection (2) shall include, in particular, provision as to— (a) the knowledge and understanding of the needs and requirements of people with disabilities in general and with specified disabilities in particular; (b) the courses to be undertaken by persons before such approvals are to be given and during the period for which such approvals have effect; (c) the factors to be taken into account in determining whether persons have required competencies as mentioned in subsection (1)."