Social Security Citation and commencement 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Housing Benefit and State Pension Credit (Temporary Absence) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 and come into force on 28th July 2016. Amendments to the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 2 1 The Housing Benefit Regulations 2006 are amended as follows. 2 In regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) — a in paragraph (11) after “residential accommodation” in the opening words insert “ in Great Britain ” ; b in paragraph (12) for “a residential accommodation” substitute “ the residential accommodation ” ; c for paragraph (13) substitute— 13 Subject to paragraphs (13B) and (17), where a person is temporarily absent within Great Britain from his main dwelling, he shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is so absent, subject to an overall limit of a period of 13 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the main dwelling, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of the absence within Great Britain is unlikely to extend beyond the overall limit. ; d after paragraph (13) insert— 13A The period of 13 weeks referred to in paragraph (13) shall run or continue to run during any period of absence from Great Britain. 13B Where— a a person returns to Great Britain after a period of absence from Great Britain; b he has been absent from the main dwelling for less than 13 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from that dwelling; and c at the outset of, or during, the period of absence from Great Britain, he ceased to be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home, then, for any day that follows the period of absence from Great Britain and precedes his return to the main dwelling, he shall not be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home under paragraph (13). 13C This paragraph applies to a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain and who occupied the main dwelling as his home, or was treated as occupying that dwelling as his home, immediately before the period of absence from Great Britain. 13D Subject to paragraphs (13E), (13G), (17C) and (17D) a person to whom paragraph (13C) applies shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 4 weeks beginning with the first day of that absence from Great Britain, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of absence outside Great Britain is unlikely to exceed 4 weeks. 13E If the temporary absence from the main dwelling is in connection with the death of— a the person's partner or a child or young person for whom the person or the person's partner is responsible; b the person's close relative; c the close relative of the person's partner; or d the close relative of a child or young person for whom the person or the person's partner is responsible, then the period of 4 weeks in the opening words of paragraph (13D) may be extended by up to 4 further weeks if the relevant authority considers it unreasonable to expect the person to return to Great Britain within the first 4 weeks (and so that the reference in sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph to a period of 4 weeks shall, where the period is extended, be taken as referring to the period as so extended). 13F This paragraph applies to a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain as a member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas, a mariner or a continental shelf worker, and who occupied the main dwelling as his home, or was treated as occupying that dwelling as his home, immediately before the period of absence from Great Britain. 13G A person to whom paragraph (13F) applies shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 26 weeks beginning with the first day of that absence from Great Britain, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of absence outside Great Britain is unlikely to exceed 26 weeks. ; e in paragraph (16)— i in the opening words for “dwelling he normally occupies as his home (“absence”)” substitute “ main dwelling ” ; ii in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) for “dwelling” substitute “ main dwelling ” ; iii in sub-paragraphs (c)(iii), (iv) and (vii) omit “, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere,”; iv in sub-paragraph (c)(v) omit “residing in the United Kingdom or elsewhere”; v for sub-paragraph (d) substitute— d in the case of— i absence within Great Britain, any period of absence from the dwelling is unlikely to extend beyond or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to extend beyond, an overall limit of 52 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the dwelling; ii absence from Great Britain by a person to whom any of sub-paragraphs (c)(ii), (iii), (vii) or (x) apply, any period of absence from Great Britain is unlikely to exceed or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to exceed, 26 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain; or iii absence from Great Britain by a person to whom paragraph (ii) of this sub-paragraph does not apply, any period of absence from Great Britain is unlikely to exceed or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to exceed, 4 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from Great Britain. ; f for paragraph (17) substitute— 17 Subject to paragraph (17B), a person to whom paragraph (16) applies who is absent within Great Britain, shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is so absent, subject to an overall limit of a period of 52 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the dwelling. ; g after paragraph (17) insert— 17A The period of 52 weeks referred to in paragraph (17) shall run or continue to run during any period of absence from Great Britain. 17B Where— a a person returns to Great Britain after a period of absence from Great Britain; b he has been absent from the main dwelling for less than 52 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from that dwelling; and c at the outset of, or during, the period of absence from Great Britain, he ceased to be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home, then, for any day that follows the period of absence from Great Britain and precedes his return to the main dwelling, he shall not be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home under paragraph (17). 17C A person to whom paragraph (16) applies who— a is a person described in any of sub-paragraphs (c)(ii), (iii), (vii) or (x) of that paragraph; b is temporarily absent from Great Britain; and c immediately before that period of temporary absence, occupied the main dwelling as his home or was treated as so occupying that dwelling, shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 26 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain. 17D A person to whom paragraph (16) applies who— a is a person described in any of sub-paragraphs (c)(i), (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) of that paragraph; b is temporarily absent from Great Britain; and c immediately before that period of temporary absence, occupied the main dwelling as his home or was treated as so occupying that dwelling, shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 4 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain. ; h in paragraph (18)— i before the definition of “medically approved” insert— “ continental shelf worker ” means a person who is employed, whether under a contract of service or not, in a designated area or a prescribed area in connection with any activity mentioned in section 11(2) of the Petroleum Act 1998 ; “ designated area ” means any area which may from time to time be designated by Order in Council under the Continental Shelf Act 1964 as an area within which the rights of the United Kingdom with respect to the seabed and subsoil and their natural resources may be exercised; “ main dwelling ” means the dwelling that a person normally occupies as his home; “ mariner ” means a person who is employed under a contract of service either as a master or member of the crew of any ship or vessel, or in any other capacity on board any ship or vessel, where— a the employment in that capacity is for the purposes of that ship or vessel or its crew or any passengers or cargo or mails carried by the ship or vessel; and b the contract is entered into in the United Kingdom with a view to its performance (in whole or in part) while the ship or vessel is on its voyage; ; ii after the definition of “medically approved” insert— “ member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas ” means a person who is a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces (within the meaning of section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 ), who is absent from the main dwelling because the person has been posted outside of Great Britain to perform the duties of a member of Her Majesty's regular forces or reserve forces; ; and iii after the definition of “patient” insert— “ prescribed area ” means any area over which Norway or any member State (other than the United Kingdom) exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring the seabed and subsoil and exploiting their natural resources, being an area outside the territorial seas of Norway or such member State, or any other area which is from time to time specified under section 10(8) of the Petroleum Act 1998; . 3 For each of regulation 12BA(4) (eligible rent and maximum rent (social sector)) and 12D(4) (eligible rent and maximum rent (LHA)) substitute— 4 For the purpose of paragraph (3), a claimant is treated as occupying the dwelling if— a any of paragraphs (13), (13D) (with (13E) where applicable) or (13G) of regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of those paragraphs were omitted; or b any of paragraphs (17), (17C) or (17D) of regulation 7 is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (16) of that regulation were omitted. . 4 For regulation 13ZA(2) (protection on death and 13 week protection) substitute— 2 For the purpose of paragraph (1), a claimant is treated as occupying the dwelling if— a any of paragraphs (13), (13D) (with (13E) where applicable) or (13G) of regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of those paragraphs were omitted; or b any of paragraphs (17), (17C) or (17D) of regulation 7 is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (16) of that regulation were omitted. . Amendments to the Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 3 1 The Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 are amended as follows. 2 In regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) — a in paragraph (11) after “residential accommodation” insert “ in Great Britain ” ; b in paragraph (12) for “a residential accommodation” substitute “ the residential accommodation ” ; c for paragraph (13) substitute— 13 Subject to paragraphs (13B) and (17), where a person is temporarily absent within Great Britain from his main dwelling, he shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is so absent, subject to an overall limit of a period of 13 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the main dwelling, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of the absence within Great Britain is unlikely to extend beyond the overall limit. ; d after paragraph (13) insert— 13A The period of 13 weeks referred to in paragraph (13) shall run or continue to run during any period of absence from Great Britain. 13B Where— a a person returns to Great Britain after a period of absence from Great Britain; b he has been absent from the main dwelling for less than 13 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from that dwelling; and c at the outset of, or during, the period of absence from Great Britain, he ceased to be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home, then, for any day that follows the period of absence from Great Britain and precedes his return to the main dwelling, he shall not be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home under paragraph (13). 13C This paragraph applies to a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain and who occupied the main dwelling as his home, or was treated as occupying that dwelling as his home, immediately before the period of absence from Great Britain. 13D Subject to paragraphs (13E), (13G), (17C) and (17D) a person to whom paragraph (13C) applies shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 4 weeks beginning with the first day of that absence from Great Britain, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of absence outside Great Britain is unlikely to exceed 4 weeks. 13E If the temporary absence from the main dwelling is in connection with the death of— a the person's partner or a child or young person for whom the person or the person's partner is responsible; b the person's close relative; c the close relative of the person's partner; or d the close relative of a child or young person for whom the person or the person's partner is responsible, then the period of 4 weeks in the opening words of paragraph (13D) may be extended by up to 4 further weeks if the relevant authority considers it unreasonable to expect the person to return to Great Britain within the first 4 weeks (and so that the reference in sub-paragraph (c) of that paragraph to a period of 4 weeks shall, where the period is extended, be taken as referring to the period as so extended). 13F This paragraph applies to a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain as a member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas, a mariner or a continental shelf worker, and who occupied the main dwelling as his home, or was treated as occupying that dwelling as his home, immediately before the period of absence from Great Britain. 13G A person to whom paragraph (13F) applies shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 26 weeks beginning with the first day of that absence from Great Britain, provided that— a the person intends to return to occupy the main dwelling as his home; b the part of the main dwelling normally occupied by the person has not been let or, as the case may be, sub-let; and c the period of absence outside Great Britain is unlikely to exceed 26 weeks. ; e in paragraph (16)— i in the opening words for “dwelling he normally occupies as his home (“absence”)” substitute “ main dwelling ” ; ii in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) for “dwelling” substitute “ main dwelling ” ; iii in sub-paragraphs (c)(iii), (iv) and (vii) omit “, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere,”; iv in sub-paragraph (c)(v) omit “residing in the United Kingdom or elsewhere”; v for sub-paragraph (d) substitute— d in the case of— i absence within Great Britain, any period of absence from the dwelling is unlikely to extend beyond or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to extend beyond, an overall limit of 52 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the dwelling; ii absence from Great Britain by a person to whom any of sub-paragraphs (c)(ii), (iii), (vii) or (x) apply, any period of absence from Great Britain is unlikely to exceed or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to exceed, 26 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain; or iii absence from Great Britain by a person to whom paragraph (ii) of this sub-paragraph does not apply, any period of absence from Great Britain is unlikely to exceed or, in exceptional circumstances is unlikely substantially to exceed, 4 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from Great Britain. ; f for paragraph (17) substitute— 17 Subject to paragraph (17B), a person to whom paragraph (16) applies who is absent within Great Britain, shall be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home whilst he is so absent, subject to an overall limit of a period of 52 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from the dwelling. ; g after paragraph (17) insert— 17A The period of 52 weeks referred to in paragraph (17) shall run or continue to run during any period of absence from Great Britain. 17B Where— a a person returns to Great Britain after a period of absence from Great Britain; b he has been absent from the main dwelling for less than 52 weeks beginning with the first day of absence from that dwelling; and c at the outset of, or during, the period of absence from Great Britain, he ceased to be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home, then, for any day that follows the period of absence from Great Britain and precedes his return to the main dwelling, he shall not be treated as occupying the main dwelling as his home under paragraph (17). 17C A person to whom paragraph (16) applies who— a is a person described in any of sub-paragraphs (c)(ii), (iii), (vii) or (x) of that paragraph; b is temporarily absent from Great Britain; and c immediately before that period of temporary absence, occupied the main dwelling as his home or was treated as so occupying that dwelling, shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 26 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain. 17D A person to whom paragraph (16) applies who— a is a person described in any of sub-paragraphs (c)(i), (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) of that paragraph; b is temporarily absent from Great Britain; and c immediately before that period of temporary absence, occupied the main dwelling as his home or was treated as so occupying that dwelling, shall be treated as occupying that dwelling as his home whilst he is absent from Great Britain, for a period not exceeding 4 weeks beginning with the first day of the absence from Great Britain. ; h in paragraph (18)— i before the definition of “medically approved” insert— “ continental shelf worker ” means a person who is employed, whether under a contract of service or not, in a designated area or a prescribed area in connection with any activity mentioned in section 11(2) of the Petroleum Act 1998; “ designated area ” means any area which may from time to time be designated by Order in Council under the Continental Shelf Act 1964 as an area within which the rights of the United Kingdom with respect to the seabed and subsoil and their natural resources may be exercised; “ main dwelling ” means the dwelling that a person normally occupies as his home; “ mariner ” means a person who is employed under a contract of service either as a master or member of the crew of any ship or vessel, or in any other capacity on board any ship or vessel, where— a the employment in that capacity is for the purposes of that ship or vessel or its crew or any passengers or cargo or mails carried by the ship or vessel; and b the contract is entered into in the United Kingdom with a view to its performance (in whole or in part) while the ship or vessel is on its voyage; ; ii after the definition of “medically approved” insert— “ member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas ” means a person who is a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces (within the meaning of section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006), who is absent from the main dwelling because the person has been posted outside of Great Britain to perform the duties of a member of Her Majesty's regular forces or reserve forces; ; and iii after the definition of “patient” insert— “ prescribed area ” means any area over which Norway or any member State (other than the United Kingdom) exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring the seabed and subsoil and exploiting their natural resources, being an area outside the territorial seas of Norway or such member State, or any other area which is from time to time specified under section 10(8) of the Petroleum Act 1998; . 3 For regulation 12D(4) (eligible rent and maximum rent (LHA)) substitute— 4 For the purpose of paragraph (3), a claimant is treated as occupying the dwelling if— a any of paragraphs (13), (13D) (with (13E) where applicable) or (13G) of regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of those paragraphs were omitted; or b any of paragraphs (17), (17C) or (17D) of regulation 7 is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (16) of that regulation were omitted. . 4 For regulation 13ZA(2) (protection on death and 13 week protection) substitute— 2 For the purpose of paragraph (1), a claimant is treated as occupying the dwelling if— a any of paragraphs (13), (13D) (with (13E) where applicable) or (13G) of regulation 7 (circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated as occupying a dwelling as his home) is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of those paragraphs were omitted; or b any of paragraphs (17), (17C) or (17D) of regulation 7 is satisfied and for that purpose those paragraphs shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (16) of that regulation were omitted. . Amendments to the State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 4 1 The State Pension Credit Regulations 2002 are amended as follows. 2 For regulation 3 (persons temporarily absent from Great Britain) substitute— Persons temporarily absent from Great Britain 3 1 A claimant's entitlement to state pension credit while the claimant is temporarily absent from Great Britain is to continue but for no longer than— a 4 weeks, provided the absence is not expected to exceed 4 weeks; b 8 weeks, where paragraph (2) applies; or c 26 weeks, where paragraph (3) applies, provided the claimant continues to satisfy the other conditions of entitlement. 2 This paragraph applies where the absence is not expected to exceed 8 weeks and is in connection with the death of— a the claimant's partner or a child or qualifying young person normally living with the claimant; or b a close relative of— i the claimant; ii the claimant's partner; or iii a child or qualifying young person normally living with the claimant, and the Secretary of State considers that it would be unreasonable to expect the claimant to return to Great Britain within 4 weeks. 3 This paragraph applies where the absence is not expected to exceed 26 weeks and is solely in connection with— a the claimant undergoing— i treatment for an illness or physical or mental impairment by, or under the supervision of, a qualified practitioner; or ii medically approved convalescence or care as a result of treatment for an illness or physical or mental impairment, where the claimant had that illness or impairment before leaving Great Britain; or b the claimant accompanying his or her partner or a child or qualifying young person normally living with the claimant for treatment or convalescence or care as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a). 4 In this regulation and in regulation 5— “ medically approved ” means certified by a registered medical practitioner; “ qualified practitioner ” means a person qualified to provide medical treatment, physiotherapy or a form of treatment which is similar to, or related to, either of those forms of treatment. . 3 Omit regulation 3A (persons temporarily absent from Great Britain on 6th October 2008). 4 Omit regulation 4 (persons receiving treatment outside Great Britain). 5 After regulation 3, insert— Meaning of “qualifying young person” 4A 1 A person who has reached the age of 16 but not the age of 20 is a qualifying young person for the purposes of these Regulations— a up to, but not including, the 1st September following the person's 16th birthday; and b up to, but not including, the 1st September following the person's 19th birthday, if the person is enrolled on, or accepted for, approved training or a course of education— i which is not a course of advanced education within the meaning of regulation 12(3) of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 ; ii which is provided at a school or college or provided elsewhere but approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of regulation 5 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013; and iii where the average time spent during term time in receiving tuition, engaging in practical work or supervised study or taking examinations exceeds 12 hours per week. 2 Where the young person is aged 19, he or she must have started the education or training or been enrolled on or accepted for it before reaching that age. 3 The education or training referred to in paragraph (1) does not include education or training provided by means of a contract of employment. 4 “ Approved training ” means training in pursuance of arrangements made under section 2(1) of the Employment and Training Act 1973 or section 2(3) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990 which is approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of regulation 5 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013. 5 A person who is receiving universal credit, a contributory employment and support allowance, a contribution-based jobseeker's allowance, an income-related employment and support allowance, an income-based jobseeker's allowance or income support is not a qualifying young person. . 6 In regulation 5 (persons treated as being or not being members of the same household)— a in paragraph (1)(d) for “temporary” substitute “ temporarily ” ; b for paragraph (1)(f), substitute— f except in circumstances where paragraph (1A) applies, he is absent from Great Britain; ; c for paragraph (1A), substitute— 1A A person is to be treated as being a member of the same household as the claimant while he is absent from Great Britain but for no longer than— a 4 weeks, provided the absence is not expected to exceed 4 weeks; b 8 weeks, where paragraph (1B) applies; or c 26 weeks, where paragraph (1C) applies. 1B This paragraph applies where the absence is not expected to exceed 8 weeks and is in connection with the death of— a a child or qualifying young person normally living with the person; or b a close relative of— i the person; ii the person's partner; or iii a child or qualifying young person normally living with the person, and the Secretary of State considers that it would be unreasonable to expect the person to return to Great Britain within 4 weeks. 1C This paragraph applies where the absence is not expected to exceed 26 weeks and is solely in connection with— a the person undergoing— i treatment for an illness or physical or mental impairment by, or under the supervision of, a qualified practitioner; or ii medically approved convalescence or care as a result of treatment for an illness or physical or mental impairment, where the person had that illness or impairment before leaving Great Britain; or b the person accompanying his partner or a child or qualifying young person normally living with the person for treatment or convalescence or care as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a). . 7 In paragraph 2(2)(f) of Schedule I (circumstances in which persons are treated as being or not being severely disabled) after “qualifying young person” insert “ within the meaning of regulation 4A ” and for “for the purposes of Part IX of the 1992 Act” substitute “ as defined in section 40 of the 2012 Act ” . 8 In paragraph 1(8) of Schedule III (special groups), after “In regulations” insert “ 3, ” . 9 In Schedule V (income from capital)— a in paragraph 6(2)(c) after “qualifying young person” insert “ within the meaning of regulation 4A ” and for “for the purposes of Part IX of the 1992 Act” substitute “ as defined in section 40 of the 2012 Act ” ; b in paragraph 15(8) in the definition of “child”, after “qualifying young person” insert “ within the meaning of regulation 4A ” and for “for the purposes of Part IX of the Contributions and Benefits Act (child benefit)” substitute “ as defined in section 40 of the 2012 Act ” . 10 In paragraph 1(2)(b) of Schedule VI (sums disregarded from claimant's earnings), after “qualifying young person” insert “ within the meaning of regulation 4A ” and for “for the purposes of Part IX of the 1992 Act” substitute “ as defined in section 40 of the 2012 Act ” . Transitional provisions 5 1 Subject to paragraph (2), regulations 2 and 3 shall not apply in respect of a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain on 28th July 2016 until the day that person returns to Great Britain. 2 Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person who, on 28th July 2016, is temporarily absent from Great Britain and is— a a member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas; b absent in the capacity of a continental shelf worker; or c absent in the capacity of a mariner. 3 Regulation 4 shall not apply in respect of a person who is temporarily absent from Great Britain on 28th July 2016 until the day that person returns to Great Britain. 4 In this regulation— “ continental shelf worker ” means a person who is employed, whether under a contract of service or not, in a designated area or a prescribed area in connection with any activity mentioned in section 11(2) of the Petroleum Act 1998; “ designated area ” means any area which may from time to time be designated by Order in Council under the Continental Shelf Act 1964 as an area within which the rights of the United Kingdom with respect to the seabed and subsoil and their natural resources may be exercised; “ mariner ” means a person who is employed under a contract of service either as a master or member of the crew of any ship or vessel, or in any other capacity on board any ship or vessel, where— the employment in that capacity is for the purposes of that ship or vessel or its crew or any passengers or cargo or mails carried by the ship or vessel; and the contract is entered into in the United Kingdom with a view to its performance (in whole or in part) while the ship or vessel is on its voyage; “ member of Her Majesty's forces posted overseas ” means a person who is a member of the regular forces or the reserve forces (within the meaning of section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006), who is absent from the dwelling that the person normally occupies as his home because the person has been posted outside of Great Britain to perform the duties of a member of Her Majesty's regular forces or reserve forces; and “ prescribed area ” means any area over which Norway or any member State ... exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring the seabed and subsoil and exploiting their natural resources, being an area outside the territorial seas of Norway or such member State, or any other area which is from time to time specified under section 10(8) of the Petroleum Act 1998. Freud Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions