Number hit by benefits sanctions on the rise
MORE MONEY NOW BEING DOCKED
The number of people having their benefits docked has risen more sharply compared with the period before the pandemic, official statistics reveal.
Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed 1,039 people on universal credit had sanctions – 416 more than in 2020.
Across Britain, 78,672 claimants had a sanction in February, which was well over double the 31,129 recorded two years earlier.
The data could include some sanctions that go on to be overturned and repaid, although any such number is likely to be small as figures suggest relatively few are challenged.
In Leicestershire, the sharpest increase in sanctions was in Oadby and Wigston, where the number rose from nine to 51.
The next steepest rise was in Leicester, where the figure tripled from 200 people to 602.
Reasons for having benefits reduced include not attending a work-related interview, failing to start a new role or refusing a job offer.
The length and severity of the sanction depends on the reason it is imposed and if the person has been penalised before.
The cuts were largely halted in the early stages of the pandemic as job centres shut their doors and the government focused on dealing with soaring demand from new claimants.
The number of people across Britain seeing their universal credit claim reduced began increasing again last summer and has now hit record levels.
Ministers recently announced new rules for some job seekers on universal credit, meaning they will have to search for jobs outside their chosen field from the fourth week of their claim, instead of after three months, and can be punished for failing to do so.
Caroline Selman, benefit sanctions researcher at the Public Law Project, said the penalties could be disastrous for people’s mental health.
She said: “When someone is sanctioned they can lose up to 100 per cent of their standard allowance, potentially indefinitely.
“If you are already on or below the poverty line, this can be devastating.”
Ms Selman said she was concerned the DWP was increasing sanctions despite a lack of evidence that they support people into work – and extensive evidence of their potential harm.
A DWP spokesman said: “Sanction levels are proportionate to our larger pandemic caseload and people are only sanctioned if they fail, without good reason, to meet the conditions they agreed to.
“Sanctions can quickly be resolved by re-engaging with the job centre and attending the next appointment.”