My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr James Plaskitt) has made the following Statement.

I announced on 18 July 2006 that the DWP would bring forward amendments to Regulation 9 of the Social Security (Crediting and Treatment of Contributions and National Insurance Numbers) Regulations to make explicit the evidence which must be produced to demonstrate that the “right to work” condition has been satisfied. These amendments will be laid before Parliament today and copies will be made available from the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office from 2.30 pm onwards.

The amendment regulations also incorporate a change which will require students who qualify for a student loan to apply for a national insurance number if they do not already have one. This change will mirror changes in forthcoming Department for Education and Skills regulations, which will be made in early 2007. These changes will facilitate the improved collection of student loans.