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Section 16: Work preparation requirement

Welfare Reform Act 2012 · 2012 c. 5View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 1: Universal credit — CHAPTER 2: Claimant responsibilities

In this Part a "work preparation requirement" is a requirement that a claimant take particular action specified by the Secretary of State for the purpose 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).

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

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

attending a skills assessment;
improving personal presentation;
participating in training;
participating in an employment programme;
undertaking work experience or a work placement;
developing a business plan;
any action prescribed for the purpose in subsection (1).

In the case of a person with limited capability for work, the action which may be specified under subsection (1) includes taking part in a work-focused health-related assessment.

In subsection (4) "work-focused health-related assessment" means an assessment by a health care professional approved by the Secretary of State which is carried out for the purpose of assessing—

the extent to which the person's capability for work may be improved by taking steps in relation to their physical or mental condition, and
such other matters relating to their physical or mental condition and the likelihood of their obtaining or remaining in work or being able to do so as may be prescribed.

In subsection (5) "health care professional" means—

a registered medical practitioner,
a registered nurse,
an occupational therapist or physiotherapist registered with a regulatory body established by an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999, or
a member of such other profession regulated by a body mentioned in section 25(3) of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 as may be prescribed.

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This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.