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| Map of benefit sanctions shows cruelty, says homeless charity | Map of benefit sanctions shows cruelty, says homeless charity |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A benefits sanction map of the UK shows how claimants are being treated with cruelty, according to the homeless charity Crisis. | A benefits sanction map of the UK shows how claimants are being treated with cruelty, according to the homeless charity Crisis. |
| It said the map illustrates the "post code lottery" of sanctions - when claimants have their payments stopped. | It said the map illustrates the "post code lottery" of sanctions - when claimants have their payments stopped. |
| And it warned that homeless people are being affected disproportionately. | And it warned that homeless people are being affected disproportionately. |
| However the government said that the number of people being sanctioned had actually fallen over the last year. | However the government said that the number of people being sanctioned had actually fallen over the last year. |
| It said there were 170,000 fewer sanctions in the year to September 2014 than in the year before. | It said there were 170,000 fewer sanctions in the year to September 2014 than in the year before. |
| But in its report, Crisis claims the system is still deeply unfair. | But in its report, Crisis claims the system is still deeply unfair. |
| It said sanctions rates varied between 15.4 per hundred claimants per month in Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, and 1.8 per hundred in the Western Isles. | It said sanctions rates varied between 15.4 per hundred claimants per month in Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, and 1.8 per hundred in the Western Isles. |
| 'Punitive' | 'Punitive' |
| "Evidence is mounting of a punitive and deeply flawed regime," said Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis. | "Evidence is mounting of a punitive and deeply flawed regime," said Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Crisis. |
| "Sanctions are cruel, and can leave people at severe risk of homelessness - cold, hungry and utterly destitute," he said. | "Sanctions are cruel, and can leave people at severe risk of homelessness - cold, hungry and utterly destitute," he said. |
| Since April 2000, more than six million people have had benefits payments stopped, usually for failing to keep appointments, or demonstrating that they are otherwise not available for work. | Since April 2000, more than six million people have had benefits payments stopped, usually for failing to keep appointments, or demonstrating that they are otherwise not available for work. |
| The rules were tightened in October 2012, following the Welfare Reform Act. | The rules were tightened in October 2012, following the Welfare Reform Act. |
| Payments can be stopped for four weeks, or as much as three years, depending on how many times the rules are broken. | Payments can be stopped for four weeks, or as much as three years, depending on how many times the rules are broken. |
| The sanctions also affect people claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA). | The sanctions also affect people claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA). |
| The report - written for Crisis by Dr Kesia Reeve of Sheffield Hallam University - says that when sanction decisions are reviewed, half of them are overturned. | The report - written for Crisis by Dr Kesia Reeve of Sheffield Hallam University - says that when sanction decisions are reviewed, half of them are overturned. |
| "The evidence at present is limited, but points clearly to a system that is more punitive than it is supportive," she said. | "The evidence at present is limited, but points clearly to a system that is more punitive than it is supportive," she said. |
| 'Chaotic system' | 'Chaotic system' |
| But the government has always argued that benefit sanctions act as an incentive to help people find work. | But the government has always argued that benefit sanctions act as an incentive to help people find work. |
| "The truth is that every day Jobcentre Plus advisers are helping people into work, with a record number of people now in jobs," said a spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions. | "The truth is that every day Jobcentre Plus advisers are helping people into work, with a record number of people now in jobs," said a spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions. |
| "Sanctions are only used as a last resort for the tiny minority who refuse to take up the support which is on offer." | "Sanctions are only used as a last resort for the tiny minority who refuse to take up the support which is on offer." |
| However earlier this month, Nick Bowles, a Conservative minister in both the Department of Business and the Department for Education, was reported to have called for a re-think on the way benefits sanctions are applied. | However earlier this month, Nick Bowles, a Conservative minister in both the Department of Business and the Department for Education, was reported to have called for a re-think on the way benefits sanctions are applied. |
| He told his local newspaper, the Grantham Journal, that sanctions should be looked at after the election, although he later withdrew the remarks. | He told his local newspaper, the Grantham Journal, that sanctions should be looked at after the election, although he later withdrew the remarks. |
| Private companies | Private companies |
| Crisis said that there was no correlation between the figures and bad behaviour by claimants. | Crisis said that there was no correlation between the figures and bad behaviour by claimants. |
| However it did say that different policies by private sector companies delivering the Work Programme for the long-term unemployed might be a factor. | However it did say that different policies by private sector companies delivering the Work Programme for the long-term unemployed might be a factor. |
| For example, sanctions rates in east London were much higher than in west London, reflecting different approaches by the service providers. | For example, sanctions rates in east London were much higher than in west London, reflecting different approaches by the service providers. |
| It said the overall picture was of a "chaotic system". | It said the overall picture was of a "chaotic system". |