Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to assess the potential impact of benefit sanctions on recipients during the cost of living crisis; and if he will make it his policy to suspend sanctions until the cost of living crisis is resolved.

Safeguards are built into the system to ensure conditionality is appropriate. We take care to apply relevant easements, which are temporary suspensions of conditionality, for times when claimants may not be in a position to look for work, for instance for people who are under threat of homelessness, or who need emergency childcare. Claimants with health conditions also have their conditionality tailored in recognition of their capabilities, reducing or adjusting the work-related expectations.

Most sanctions are for failing to attend a mandatory appointment at a Jobcentre Plus, and these can often be resolved quickly by claimants getting in touch with their Jobcentre and attending their next appointment. Many of our claimants are also entitled to other elements in UC, such as housing or child elements. If a sanction is applied, claimants continue to receive these parts of the payment.

There are also hardship payments available, if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs.