SNP CONDEMNS HIGH SANCTIONS RATE UNDER “FLAWED” UNIVERSAL CREDIT

Figures on benefit sanctions reveal that the proportion of claimants sanctioned under Universal Credit (2.8%) is nearly ten times higher than under Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) (0.3%), and nearly 30 times higher than Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (0.1%).

The average Universal Credit sanction also lasts longer than JSA and ESA sanctions.

Patricia Gibson MP has called on the UK Tory Government to urgently clarify -

Why more claimants are being sanctioned under Universal Credit than under the benefits they replaced?

Is it a policy aim that more claimants be sanctioned under Universal Credit than under legacy benefits?

Why Universal Credit sanctions are longer on average than the benefits they replaced?

Patricia Gibson MP said:

“The UK government’s Universal Credit system has been deeply flawed since its roll-out.

“Financial support is being withdrawn from claimants who have already experienced delays in receiving Universal Credit and Kings College London found a direct correlation between people who have been sanctioned and the rise in foodbank use and poverty.

“The Scottish National Party (SNP) has long opposed the Tories’ brutal sanctions regime, which fails to deliver even on its stated objectives. Indeed, new research by the Cambridge Journal of Economics found it to be counter-productive in getting people into sustainable employment.

“The UK Tory Government has many questions to answer and must look again at this damaging policy.”

Benefit sanctions to April 2018:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/benefit-sanctions-statistics-to-april-2018

ENDS