Does anyone else have serious concerns over the Draft SI JSA and the Intensive Activity Period pilot http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2004/draft/20048654.htm

This seems to be proposing very severe sanctions aimed at people over 50 and less than 60 on JSA for 18mths

People will have JSA removed or reduced if they do not take up a place on a Intensive Activity Pilot.

Neve one to use the term Draconian lightly, but

Seems to follow on from People of working age: PSA target 4 - Target 4c: Increase the employment rate of people aged 50 and over, taking account of the economic cycle, and significantly reduce the difference between their employment rate and the overall rate.

Questions:

What is the legal standing of a draft SI?

Can they be challenged?

Was there any consultation?

Is anyone looking at campaigning on this?

links to copies of the two draft statutory instruments can be found in yesterday's rightsnet news story @

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/cgi-bin/forwardsql/search.cgi?template2=user_details2.htm&output_number=1&sort=news.submission_date+desc&news.ID=2191385554