Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the announcement in the Autumn Statement 2022 of a further extension of in-work conditionality, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the DWP Universal Credit In-Work Progression Randomised Control Trials that (a) the use of sanctions did not appear to positively impact on motivation to progress, (b) there was no evidence of different outcomes, hours worked or earnings between those who reported being sanctioned and those that did not and (c) there was evidence that sanctioning impacted negatively on the relationship between claimants and Work Coaches.

We have made no specific assessment; however the trial evidence did show that sanctions were proven to be an effective tool at driving compliance and engagement with the in-work offer. It also found that the mandatory regime, with sanctions as a last resort for non-compliance, did lead to claimants increasing their earnings on average compared to Minimal Support Group.

A sanction acts not only through its imposition on a claimant but importantly also through its effect as a deterrent. Whilst we were unable to assess this, it showed that a mandatory regime that combined regular contact with JCP that allowed Work Coaches to understand the barriers faced by claimants and to tailor support accordingly could be effective at helping claimants progress in work.