SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 24Social security, child support and tax credits

Part 7Amendments of the Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18)

118

F1In section 1 (the jobseeker’s allowance), in subsection (4), in the definition of “a joint-claim couple”, for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

119

F1In section 3 (the income-based conditions), in subsection (1)(dd) and (e), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

120

F1In section 15 (effect on other claimants), in subsection (2)(b), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

121

F1In section 15A (trade disputes: joint-claim couples), in subsection (5)(c), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

122

F1In section 23 (recovery of sums in respect of maintenance), in subsection (1), after “spouse” insert “ or civil partner ”.

123

In section 31 (termination of awards), in subsections (1) and (2), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

124

1

Amend section 35 (interpretation) as follows.

2

After the definition of “contribution-based jobseeker’s allowance” in subsection (1) insert—

“couple” means—

a

a man and woman who are married to each other and are members of the same household;

b

a man and woman who are not married to each other but are living together as husband and wife otherwise than in prescribed circumstances;

c

two people of the same sex who are civil partners of each other and are members of the same household; or

d

two people of the same sex who are not civil partners of each other but are living together as if they were civil partners otherwise than in prescribed circumstances;

3

In paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of the definition of “family” in subsection (1), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.

4

Omit the definitions of “married couple” and “unmarried couple” in subsection (1).

5

After subsection (1) insert—

1A

For the purposes of this Act, two people of the same sex are to be regarded as living together as if they were civil partners if, but only if, they would be regarded as living together as husband and wife were they instead two people of the opposite sex.

125

In Schedule 1 (supplementary provisions), in paragraph 9C(1), for “married or unmarried couple” substitute “ couple ”.