Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were sanctioned at the (a) higher level, (b) intermediate level and (c) lower level in (i) the UK, (ii) Scotland, (iii) North Lanarkshire and (iv) Airdrie and Shotts constituency in each year since October 2012 up to the most recent period for which figures are available.

The information requested is shown in the table below:

Number of people on Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a sanction applied by level of sanction: October 2012 to September 2013

Source: DWP: Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics database

Notes:

1. Statistical disclosure control has been applied. “-“ denotes nil or negligible.

2. A benefit sanction is applied where a sanction or disallowance referral decision is found against the claimant.

3. New regulations introduced a new revised sanctions regime for JSA claimants from 22 October 2012 and ESA claimants from 3 December 2012. Details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobseekers-allowance-overview-of-sanctions-rules

4. ESA sanctions are only applied at the lower level, and data is for December 2012 to September 2013 only.

This information is published and can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance for users is available at:

https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm

Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Ireland statistics can be found at:

http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_publications.htm