Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Welfare Sanctions And Support For Vulnerable Claimants

13 December 2022 · 1 other contributor · 659 words

Opened by Guy Opperman Con Hexham

Responding minister: Not recorded

Benefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Guy Opperman raised concerns about welfare sanctions and support for vulnerable claimants in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • The lead MP is concerned about the rise in sanctions under the welfare system.
  • The MP notes that 98.2% of sanctions are for missing a meeting with a work coach, which can be resolved by attending another appointment.
  • The MP mentions that claimants with severe health conditions, full-time carers, or those with children under one year old cannot be sanctioned and receive specific elements of universal credit.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP asks the hon. Gentleman to provide evidence if he claims there is incentivisation for work coaches to sanction claimants unjustly.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Guy Opperman Con Hexham

The lead MP is concerned about the rise in sanctions under the welfare system and mentions that 98.2% of sanctions are for missing a meeting with a work coach, which can be resolved by attending another appointment. He also discusses additional support for the most vulnerable, noting that claimants with severe health conditions, full-time carers, or those with children under one year old cannot be sanctioned and receive specific elements of universal credit.

Other contributors (1)
  • Kenny MacAskill SNP East Lothian

    The hon. Member for East Lothian raised the point that work is hard to find and questioned the employment figures presented.

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