Benefit sanctions have most impact on vulnerable people, warns Crisis

Benefit sanctions are hitting vulnerable people the hardest, leaving many homeless, hungry and destitute, according to a report.

Crisis called for reform of the system, warning that homeless people and those suffering from mental ill health are among those most affected.

A survey by the charity of 1,000 people from homeless hostels and day centres found people being forced to sleep on the street or go hungry as a result of benefit sanctions.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: "Benefit sanctions are a major cause of homelessness and poverty. They're hitting vulnerable people hardest and preventing them from finding work.%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-jobs-guide%

"Many will be trying to rebuild their lives or coping with trauma or illness. At times like this, losing the support of benefits can be disastrous.

"Sadly, the vast majority of people we spoke to wanted to work and agreed there should be some sort of conditions attached to benefits, yet too often the system didn't take their circumstances or aspirations into account and instead seemed to treat them with mistrust.

"It's clear that the regime isn't working for the most vulnerable. The Government's recent proposal for a two-week period of appeal doesn't go far enough. We must make sure that homeless people and those at risk of homelessness are identified and protected from an early stage."

The study found people being sanctioned for failing to attend a Work Programme when they did not know where to go, having to collect children from school, or missing an appointment because of traffic jams.

Emily Thornberry, shadow employment minister, said: "This report is a damning indictment of a broken sanctions regime.

"Instead of dealing with the rising benefits bill by tackling low pay and building more affordable homes, the Tories introduced a new regime of benefit sanctions which brought a culture of fear into jobcentres, pushing people into extreme hardship and in many cases out on to the streets.

"The Government says that sanctions are supposed to help people into work, but clearly in these cases, where the most vulnerable are being hit hardest, that isn't what's happening."

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "These are truly shocking findings that should provide a wake-up call to ministers about the damage their benefit cuts and sanctions are doing to people's lives.

"This kind of treatment has no place in a modern employment service and the sanctions regime should be scrapped."

A Government spokesman said: "This report is misleading and has inaccuracies. Homelessness is a highly complex issue, and our priority is to ensure that those individuals affected get the right support. That is why the Government has made over £1 billion available to prevent and tackle homelessness, and support vulnerable households since 2010.

"We know that the most important thing for homeless people is to get a roof over their head. This is why we make allowances - for example, we don't expect them to be looking for work while they are focused on finding living arrangements. This means that it is highly unlikely that any homeless person would be sanctioned."