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Jobseekers and benefits data release postponed by DWP Jobseekers and benefits data release postponed by DWP
(about 3 hours later)
The Department for Work and Pensions has delayed publication of the first set of official statistics detailing the extra number of jobless claimants losing benefits as a result of a tougher sanctions regime introduced by the coalition in October.The Department for Work and Pensions has delayed publication of the first set of official statistics detailing the extra number of jobless claimants losing benefits as a result of a tougher sanctions regime introduced by the coalition in October.
The DWP said there were "some significant doubts about the quality of the new regime statistics" due to have been published this week, adding it was not possible to give a date when they would be in a form fit to print.The DWP said there were "some significant doubts about the quality of the new regime statistics" due to have been published this week, adding it was not possible to give a date when they would be in a form fit to print.
Ministers have also suspended publication of figures relating to employment and support allowance.Ministers have also suspended publication of figures relating to employment and support allowance.
The DWP introduced the tougher benefits regime last October, including longer periods off benefits for failing to be fully available for work.The DWP introduced the tougher benefits regime last October, including longer periods off benefits for failing to be fully available for work.
The delayed publication of the figures, which cover the period from 22 October 2012 to the end of February 2013, means the public has no independent way of judging the effects of tighter sanctions.The delayed publication of the figures, which cover the period from 22 October 2012 to the end of February 2013, means the public has no independent way of judging the effects of tighter sanctions.
It also means it is impossible to discern the effect of the tougher regime on the falling number of jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants. The DWP has been repeatedly criticised for its use of statistics.It also means it is impossible to discern the effect of the tougher regime on the falling number of jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants. The DWP has been repeatedly criticised for its use of statistics.
David Webster, a senior research fellow at Glasgow University, said: "It is a matter of concern that these statistics have been delayed. JSA sanctions and disallowances were already rising markedly under the coalition, from about 3% of claimants per month, which they inherited, to over 4%, but the most recently published figures run only to October 2012.David Webster, a senior research fellow at Glasgow University, said: "It is a matter of concern that these statistics have been delayed. JSA sanctions and disallowances were already rising markedly under the coalition, from about 3% of claimants per month, which they inherited, to over 4%, but the most recently published figures run only to October 2012.
"Since then there has been a big increase in the length of the most commonly occurring types of sanction, and the internal DWP 'score chart', published in the Guardian on 28 March, implied that there was a big further rise in the rate of sanctions per month in December and January, to over 7%."Since then there has been a big increase in the length of the most commonly occurring types of sanction, and the internal DWP 'score chart', published in the Guardian on 28 March, implied that there was a big further rise in the rate of sanctions per month in December and January, to over 7%.
"There is evidence that the increase in sanctions has led to the DWP failing to achieve its promised timescales for dealing with appeals."There is evidence that the increase in sanctions has led to the DWP failing to achieve its promised timescales for dealing with appeals.
"Administrative overload with increased sanctions may indeed be why there are problems with the statistics. Given the damage that it's known these sanctions can do, the public need to know as soon as possible what is happening.""Administrative overload with increased sanctions may indeed be why there are problems with the statistics. Given the damage that it's known these sanctions can do, the public need to know as soon as possible what is happening."
The government introduced a new three-tier sanctions regime in October 2012 for JSA and in December 2012 for employment and support allowance.The government introduced a new three-tier sanctions regime in October 2012 for JSA and in December 2012 for employment and support allowance.
The aim is broadly to toughen the regime as well as to align the JSA & ESA sanctions regimes with the model to be introduced under universal credit plans.The aim is broadly to toughen the regime as well as to align the JSA & ESA sanctions regimes with the model to be introduced under universal credit plans.
The DWP stressed that the decision to delay publication had been taken solely by statisticians and not by ministers.
It added: "The new job seeker rules are sending claimants the clear message that support to get into work will be there but they must meet their side of the deal and take it up or risk losing benefits".