To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effect of the Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work Search and Work Availability Requirements - limitations) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 on performing arts practitioners.
Answered on
16 March 2022
We have no evidence to suggest that this change will impact the performing arts sector or performing arts practitioners any differently from any other sector. The Regulations in question have introduced changes impacting only those claimants entitled to limit their job search to a preferred sector for a limited time. This period (known as the “permitted period”) has been reduced to a maximum of four weeks. The permitted period is available at the discretion of a Work Coach and only claimants with substantial experience in a certain sector/occupation or at a level of remuneration are eligible. After this period, such claimants will be expected to broaden their job search activity to include any suitable job at or above national minimum wage or national living wage that they are capable of, that can support them while they pursue any longer-term career options.
These changes are part of the Way to Work campaign to move half a million job-ready claimants into work by the end of June 2022. Way to Work also means that we are giving new claimants more time with their Work Coach and bringing employers into our jobcentres in order to quickly move claimants into work.