Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce penalties for Work Programme providers which refer a large number of people with mental health problems for sanctions which are subsequently overturned at mandatory reconsideration or appeal.

The Department has no plans to introduce such penalties.

Decisions which are overturned at mandatory reconsideration or appeal stages frequently reflect new evidence which has subsequently come to light or has been provided by the claimant.