Context
Ross, a neurodiverse individual working at a garden centre and receiving universal credit, was sanctioned after missing a telephone appointment with a job coach. This led to the loss of two months' rent, putting him at risk of homelessness and losing his job if not for family support.
Question
My constituent Ross has neurodiversities and is in employment, working at a garden centre, but his income is supplemented by universal credit. After inadvertently missing a telephone appointment with a job coach, he was sanctioned, losing out on two months-worth of rent, and he risked being made homeless and losing his job if his parents had not been there to step in. Can the Minister assure folks such as Ross that they will be powered up by our benefits system, not punished when they make innocent mistakes?
Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
We certainly do want the system to support people such as Ross. If work-related requirements are missed, the reason for that should be asked for, with seven days allowed for an answer. There should also be a pre-referral check before a sanction referral takes place. If the hon. Gentleman would like to send me the details of what happened in that particular case, I will happily look into it.
Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific policy changes or assurances for neurodiverse claimants beyond general statements about process checks and investigations.
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