David Webster has asked me to host another substantial document on sanctions policy, which you can find here. His key points are:
- The total JSA plus ESA sanctions in the year to 30 September 2013 were 897,690.
- In the year to 30 September 2013, JSA claimants were sanctioned at the rate of 5.11% per month, and in the 3 months to 30 September 2013 at the rate of 6.00% per month.
- The rate of sanctions is accelerating.
- There has been a sensational increase in the success rate of claimants at tribunal– but only one in 50 claimants appeals.
Some of us might think that the high rate of success at tribunal is an indication that bad decisions are being made. The government leans to the view that all it shows is that tribunals are too accessible and they are now proposing to charge people for the privilege of appealing a decision to leave them with no money. As Mr Punch might say, while battering nuisance objectors to death: That’s the way to do it.