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National Audit Office says no evidence sanctions work
“Sanctions on welfare payments which have allegedly caused thousands of claimants to fall into hardship and depression are being handed out without evidence that they actually work, Whitehall’s official spending watchdog has found.
The Department for Work and Pensions is also failing to monitor thousands of people whose benefits are being cut or withheld while many are being pushed outside the benefits system, said the National Audit Office.
Auditors concluded there has been a failure to measure whether the government is saving money while the application of the sanctions regime varies across the country and from job centre to job centre.”
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Benefit-sanctions.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/30/benefits-sanctions-a-policy-based-on-zeal-not-evidence
‘The DWP had no clue whether sanctions worked, and zero interest in finding out. When the scope and severity of sanctions were increased in 2012, leading to a rapid rise in the number affected, it had no evidence to justify the change and no idea what the likely effect on claimants would be..’
It only remains for DWP to put up a spokesthing to say that “The report is out of date and we do not recognise its content, the reality is that we are transforming the…bzzzt…transforming…reality is…bzzzt…trans…realit…control-alt- delete-arrrggg….”
https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Benefit-sanctions.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/30/benefits-sanctions-a-policy-based-on-zeal-not-evidence
‘The DWP had no clue whether sanctions worked, and zero interest in finding out. When the scope and severity of sanctions were increased in 2012, leading to a rapid rise in the number affected, it had no evidence to justify the change and no idea what the likely effect on claimants would be..’It only remains for DWP to put up a spokesthing to say that “The report is out of date and we do not recognise its content, the reality is that we are transforming the…bzzzt…transforming…reality is…bzzzt…trans…realit…control-alt- delete-arrrggg….”
Indeed. La, la, la, la, fingers in ears, etc… again….
Those pesky NAO bean-counters fail to realise how sanctions “transform people’s lives”. Why, look at those grateful customers who contributed to the DWP leaflet on the subject!!!!!
DWP: “This report fails to recognise the improvements we have made to sanctions, particularly to help those who are vulnerable. The number of sanctions has fallen, and they are only ever used as a last resort after people fail to do what is asked of them in return for benefits. We will consider the recommendations, and respond fully in due course.”
Well well well…...
Oh - and ‘they are only ever used as a last resort’ - errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - no.
Sanctioned for missing a JC meeting because he was working!
‘[A] spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “Sanctions are an important part of our benefits system and it is right that there is a system in place for tackling those few who do not fulfil their commitment to find work.
“Sanctions have fallen substantially compared to the past year, with JobSeekers Allowance (JSA) more than halving and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) sanctions halving.
“Our welfare reforms are transforming the lives of some of the poorest families in society, giving people the skills and opportunities to move into work and enjoy the security that earning a regular wage can bring.”
Bzzzzt…...does not compute…bzzzt…...
Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill 2016-17 has its second reading on 2 December.
Main provisions will require assessment of circumstances (including health, caring responsibilities, risk of homelessness, just cause for acts or omissions) before sanctions are applied, and for a new code of conduct.
See also House of Commons Briefing Paper: Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill 2016-17
Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill 2016-17 has its second reading on 2 December.
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Would have been a significant step forward…if any English opposition MPs had actually bothered to turn up to vote on it
Bill will resume its second reading on Friday 24 January 2017 - http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2016-17/benefitclaimantssanctionsrequiredassessment.html