A jump in the number of sanctions given to those who receive a key benefit in Wales is a concern, a Welsh government minister has said. Ms Griffiths said those claiming ESA were bearing the brunt of the sanctions. Squeezing income She told AMs not only did the number of those seeing payments stopped or reduce go up - a quarter of those decisions were challenged. Out of those who asked for a review of sanctions, half had the decision overturned and payments reinstated. With nearly half of reviewed sanctions found in favour of the claimant, there are serious questions the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs to answer about the way they are being applied, said Ms Griffiths. The minister accused the UK welfare system of squeezing the income of those already struggling to make ends meet. Not only are many of these people waiting months for decisions on new disability benefits, they may also be subject to sanctions, which could put their well-being at risk, she added. I will continue to challenge the UK government and press for a just welfare system. In the meantime, we are left to pick up some of the pieces left in their wake. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-30202477
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 07:21:36 +0000
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