125,500 Universal Credit sanctions have been imposed in just ONE month - for claimants missing appointments. More than six per cent of Universal Credit claimants were affected by a sanction in August, according to new figures released amid the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.
In August, a total of 131,720 were handed out and 95.3 per cent of these were for missing a previously arrange appointement - which amounts to just over 125,500. Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride, said: “Fairness is at the heart of our welfare system. But thousands of people are undermining it, failing to look for work and not turning up to work appointments.
“We are cracking down on those who don’t make any effort to find work, as we use every tool at our disposal to tackle long-term unemployment.” 6.48 per cent of Universal Credit claimants faced a sanction on their payment in August this year. Explaining its sanctions online, the government says: "Your claimant commitment will clearly state what will happen if you fail to meet one or more of your responsibilities.
"Your Universal Credit payments may be reduced for a set period of time if you fail to meet one or more of your responsibilities and can’t give a good reason to explain why." There are 4 sanction levels: higher, medium, low and lowest. The period of reduction will increase if you fail to meet requirements multiple times in each level.
You will be sanctioned for 91 days (13 weeks) for your first higher level sanction and 182 days (26 weeks) for your second and each subsequent higher level sanction in any 364 day period. You will be sanctioned for 28 days for your first medium level sanction in any 364 day period, or 91 days for your second.
Low level sanctions last until you do whatever you were sanctioned for failing to do, plus 7 days for your first low level sanction in any 364 day period, 14 days for your second, or 28 days for your third. A sanction reduces the amount of your Universal Credit standard allowance being paid by up to 100 per cent for a single claimant or up to 50 per cent for each member of a couple.
