MP calls for end to benefits sanctions
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EAST Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury has welcomed plans to scrap ‘punitive’ benefit sanctions that can last up to three years but said the existing system still leaves families and children facing hunger and hardship.
A spokesman for his office said that following pressure from Mr Amesbury in his role as shadow employment minister,
Labour colleagues, Citizens Advice, Mind and other organisations, Work And Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd had announced the Department For Work And Pensions (DWP) was scrapping the ‘counterproductive’ policy.
Sanctions can include withholding payments of unemployment benefits as punishment for infringements such as being minutes late for an assessment, or during an emergency such as being in hospital.
Despite scrapping the three-year upper limit, sanctions of up to six months can still be issued and Mr Amesbury said these could still hit families.
Speaking after the session, he said: “It is welcome that the secretary of state has finally responded to pressure from the Labour Party and abolished the punitive threeyear sanctions.
“However, failure to scrap this punishing regime entirely means, as we have heard across the house today, that many people, including children, will continue to suffer
“Six months is a long time to go without money, so will the secretary of state go the extra mile and abolish punitive sanctions altogether?”
Speaking outside the chamber, he added: “It’s right that people should be expected to engage with the system when they look for work and many staff in the DWP do a good job under tremendous pressure.
“However, our welfare system should be a safety net there to help support people back into work when they’ve fallen on hard times, not something which inspires fear and causes hardship.
“More emphasis should be place on providing intensive support and employing more work coaches, rather than cutting staff.”