Motion 101
Call to End Benefit Sanctions
“That this Congress notes that benefit sanctions continue to run at a high level. There were a total of 522,659 Universal Credit sanctions in the year to July 2023. This compares to 230,720 sanctions in the year to January 2020.
“The Autumn Statement by the UK Government on 22nd November 2023 included yet further tightening of conditionality.
“The increase in the Administrative Earnings Threshold from 9 to 18 hours means that many people working below those hours are now treated as if they are unemployed.
“Substantially increased numbers of Universal Credit working claimants have been required to meet a Work Coach and look for more work or face sanctions since September 2023.
“Congress commends the Unite the Union campaign ‘Cut sanctions, not incomes’, which is particularly concerned with in-work conditionality, and recognises the continued opposition to sanctions by PCS, which represents Job Centre workers.
“Congress believes that the current system of sanctions is a blight on communities which causes needless harm and suffering. The focus should be on offering opportunities for claimants to find work without the threat of imminent destitution.
“Job Centres should be a beacon of hope and support for communities, rather than being seen as punitive and unpleasant. They should be about preventing poverty rather than causing it.
“The DWP’s own research suggests that finding work is less likely as a result of benefit sanctions.
“We also know sanctions can lead to suicide as unbearable hardship can push already vulnerable people over the edge. Countless people have died after being sanctioned in the UK.
“With the General Election looming, and the likelihood of the Tories being defeated, Congress calls on the General Council to lobby political parties to pledge for an end to benefit sanctions should their party form the next UK Government.”
Mover: Midlothian Trades Union Council
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