Sign petiton: Reform the cruel benefit sanctions regime

The DWP’s harsh benefit sanctions regime has pushed Jobcentres towards a culture of harassment, not help.

Changes under Iain Duncan Smith have meant a surge in the use of financial sanctions for benefit claimants. The financial sanctions are much harsher too, lasting a minimum of four weeks and can be as long as three years.

There is also worrying evidence that sanctions are being used unfairly and arbitrarily, with claimants who are trying their best being sanctioned for ridiculous reasons such as being late for appointments they had not been told about, not job searching on Christmas Day or attending a family funeral.

It’s not just claimants saying this. Many Jobcentre advisers say they are given targets for sanction referrals and feel bullied by managers into sanctioning jobseekers who are doing their best to find work. And now, the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee of MPs has called for an urgent review of the failing sanctions regime.

We’re starting a petition to be given to the next Secretary of State for Work and Pensions after the election, asking them to immediately establish the review called for by the Committee.

Sign the petition to ask incoming Secretary of State to urgently review and reform the sanctions system