James Purnell’s department warns benefit sanctions can cause ill-health and their use should be limited

A new report from the Department for Work and Pensions, ‘Qualitative research exploring the pathways to work sanctions regime’ has found that the use of benefits sanctions:

• Worsens existing health problems
• Provokes new mental health problems
• Has a worse impact on the most deprived and isolated people
• Rarely improves positive engagement
• Is poorly understood by people

The conclusions of the report suggest that benefit sanctions should play a more limited role.

Child Poverty Action Group is asking the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to give his immediate attention to the findings of the report. Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“The Department for Work and Pensions is in danger of losing track of its headline priority to end chid poverty. James Purnell must act on the evidence and not be coaxed into a battle of one-upmanship with the Conservatives on benefit sanctions.

“Where parents are sanctioned, their children suffer. This is in direct conflict with the Department for Work and Pensions commitment to ‘child poverty-proof’ every policy. The new Minister must refocus welfare reform around positive engagement and the protection of family security.”

Notes for editors

• The report ‘Qualitative research exploring the pathways to work sanctions regime’ can be found at the DWP website.
  SUMMARY - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/summ2007-2008/475summ.pdf
  FULL REPORT - http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep475.pdf
  
• CPAG is one of over 100 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk