£25k ‘lost’ in benefit sanctions

INVERCLYDE’S MP has hit out over figures showing that around £25,000 is being taken from local households each month in benefit sanctions.

The figure for June was £22,000 and it went up to £26k in July.

In August sanctions worth £25k were applied on claimants.

The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan has been angered by the DWP statistics.

Mr Cowan said: “The UK Government are taking an average of £239 per month from struggling households in Inverclyde during a cost of living crisis - a damning statement on how little they care about the struggles of ordinary people.

“These figures show the devastating impact of the UK Government’s existing regime on people in Inverclyde’s ability to feed themselves and fend off destitution.

“The cruelty of the DWP under this UK Government is on full show, hammering and leaving households destitute through a cost of living crisis with unnecessary sanctions.”