Commentary on Sections Part 1: Universal credit Section 17: Work search requirement
79.Section 17 defines the work search requirement. This requirement is in two parts: a general requirement to take all reasonable action to obtain paid work and a requirement to take any particular action specified by the Secretary of State, such as applying for a specific job or registering with a particular recruitment agency. Subsection (3) sets out examples of the kinds of actions a claimant may be required to undertake, and regulations may set out other actions or provide more detail about the actions listed. Subsection (2) allows the Secretary of State to specify an amount of time which must be devoted to an action.
80.Typically claimants in this group will be required to look for any reasonable employment. However, subsection (4) enables limitations to be placed on the work certain claimants in certain circumstances must look for. Limitations can either be indefinite or for a particular period. Subsection (5) includes examples of the types of limitations which may be applied. Limitations can be imposed through regulations or specified by the Secretary of State.