Record amount of sanctions made against benefit claimants last year
- 20 Feb
Latest figures show that the highest number of sanctions against claimants occurred last year since jobseeker's allowance was first introduced in 1996.
Figures published by the DWP show the total number of sanctions against benefit claimants in the year to September 2013 was 897,690, which is the highest figure for any 12-month period since the introduction of jobseeker's allowance in 1996.
In the year to 30 September 2013 the number of JSA sanctions was 874,850 which compares to 500,000 in the year to 30 April 2010. In the same period there were 22,840 sanctions placed on claimants of ESA. This is the highest for any 12-month period since sanctions were introduced to claimants in October 2008, reports the Guardian.
The large numbers have come before the government introduces tougher claimant commitment which will require claimants to do more to prove they are actively seeking work.
Professor David Webster at Glasgow University has produced an analysis which shows that in the year to 30 September 2013, claims were being sanctioned at the rate of 5.11% a month, which are the highest rates recorded since the start of JSA in 1996.
Figures also reveal a large increase in sanction activity. A total of 560, 371 decisions were taken in three months to September, of which 236,786 were adverse and led to some kind of benefit withdrawal. 138554 were cancelled.
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