Research and analysis

The Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Employment Outcomes: draft report

Draft report on the effectiveness of reforms to welfare conditionality and sanctions introduced since 2012 in achieving their stated policy aims.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
6 April 2023

Documents

Benefit sanctions evaluation context note, 6 April 2023

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The Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Employment Outcomes

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The Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Employment Outcomes

PDF, 576 KB, 35 pages

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Details

This draft report was produced by the Department for Work and Pensions in response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee (WPSC) recommendation in its report published November 2018 that ‘the department urgently evaluate the effectiveness of reforms to welfare conditionality and sanctions introduced since 2012 in achieving their stated policy aims’. In addition, the WPSC recommended that the evaluation include an assessment ‘of the impact sanctions have on claimants’ financial and personal well-being’.

The analysis is limited to the impact on those that get sanctioned as a consequence for non-compliance with their Universal Credit claimant commitment and does not address the deterrent impact of the sanctions regime on all claimants.

The department received several FOI requests and 3 ICO decision notices requesting the release of the sanctions evaluation. Whilst DWP reserved the right to appeal these decisions, to aid transparency the Secretary of State has agreed to publish the draft report.

The report should be read alongside the attached context note.

Published 6 April 2023