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Welfare Reform Bill

Amendments 59 and 60 59: Before Clause 25, insert the following new Clause— "Good cause for failure to comply with regulations etc (1) In Schedule 1 to the Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18) (supplementary provisions), after paragraph 14 insert— "Good or just cause for acts or omissions 14A (1) This paragraph applies to any regulations made under this Act that prescribe matters to be taken into account in determining whether a person has good cause or just cause for any act or omission (including any failure to comply with the regulations). (2) The provision made by the regulations prescribing those matters must include provision relating to— (a) the person’s physical or mental health or condition; (b) the availability of childcare." (2) In Schedule 2 to the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5) (employment and support allowance: supplementary provisions), after paragraph 10 insert— "Good cause for failure to comply with certain regulations 10A (1) This paragraph applies to any regulations made under section 11, 12 or 13 that prescribe matters to be taken into account in determining whether a person has good cause for any failure to comply with the regulations. (2) The provision made by the regulations prescribing those matters must include provision relating to— (a) the person’s physical or mental health or condition; (b) the availability of childcare."" 60: Before Clause 25, insert the following new Clause— "Jobseekers’ agreements and action plans: well-being of children (1) In section 9 of the Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18) (the jobseeker’s agreement), after subsection (4) insert— "(4A) In preparing a jobseeker’s agreement for a claimant, the officer must have regard (so far as practicable) to its impact on the well-being of any child who may be affected by it." (2) In section 14 of the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5) (employment and support allowance: action plans in connection with work-focused interviews), at the end insert— "(5) In preparing any action plan, the Secretary of State must have regard (so far as practicable) to its impact on the well-being of any person under the age of 16 who may be affected by it."" Amendments 59 and 60 agreed. Clause 25 : Contracting out functions under Jobseekers Act 1995 Amendment 61 not moved.