Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his department has made of the potential merits of (a) reducing and (b) suspending benefit sanctions for (i) disabled people and (ii) people with severe mental illness during the covid-19 outbreak.

We have not made an assessment of the potential merits of either reducing or suspending benefit sanctions for these groups.

For those with health conditions, who are expected to move towards or enter employment, Work Coaches will continue to ensure claimant commitments are tailored to a claimants’ circumstances, including any health conditions, allowing them to continue to adhere to Covid-19 public health advice. Should there be a doubt, a decision maker will take into account any evidence of good reason, including restrictions due to health conditions, before deciding if a sanction is warranted.

Those who are not expected to look for work, such as those with severe health conditions, including mental health conditions, are not subject to requirements or sanctions.