The DWP Select Committee is today launching a new inquiry into benefit sanctions: how they operate, recent developments, and what the evidence is that they work - either to deter non-compliant behaviour or to help achieve the policy objectives of getting people off benefits and into work.

Rt Hon Frank Field MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “Sanctions are an important part of any benefits system but they need to be applied proportionately and fairly and to account for individual circumstances. I’ve seen deeply troubling cases in my constituency that suggest these objectives are not always being achieved. We will be reviewing the evidence to see if sanctions policy is working properly and if not, we will recommend improvements.” 

Sanctions, which take the form of docking a portion of benefit payments for a set period of time, can be imposed for breaching benefit conditions like attending a work placement, or for being minutes late for a Job Centre appointment.

Media reports of the Committee’s last inquiry into benefit sanctions in 2015 Benefit sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review, described “copious evidence of claimants being docked hundreds of pounds and pitched into financial crisis for often absurdly trivial breaches of benefit conditions, or for administrative errors beyond their control.” There have also been serial reports in the media of extreme instances of the use and effects of sanctions – people hospitalised for life threatening conditions or premature labour being sanctioned for weeks or months for consequently missing a benefits appointment, or being unable to afford the transport to a distant job placement and being sanctioned for failing to attend it - and speculation over the degree of discretion Job Centre Plus staff have in these instances.

The  inquiry will look at recent sanctions policy developments, like the “yellow card” system which gives claimants 14 days to challenge a decision to impose a sanction before it is put into effect. The system was announced in late 2015 although there is still no date for introducing it. 

The inquiry will also consider the evidence base for the impact of sanctions, both that emerging from newly published statistics, and the robustness of the evidence base for the current use of sanctions as a means of achieving policy objectives.  Previously published in the Department’s quarterly statistical summaries, the Benefit Sanctions Statistics will now be a separate quarterly publication. 

In 2016 the NAO released a report on the subject; and in February 2017 the Public Accounts Committee published its report “Benefit sanctions”. The Government accepted the recommendations of that PAC report and described progress on implementation in the January 2018 Treasury Minutes Progress Report:

·         The Government initially agreed to undertake a trial of warnings for a first sanctionable offence. This recommendation has not been implemented.  

·         The Government agreed to monitor variation in sanction referrals and to assess the reasons for such variation. The Department’s research on variation is due to be completed in March. 

·         The Government agreed to monitor the use and take-up of protections for vulnerable groups. The Department is “still considering the best way to qualitatively assess the use and effectiveness of protections for vulnerable claimants”. 

·         The Government agreed to improve data systems, including on linking information e.g. earnings and sanctions 

·         The Government initially agreed to work with the rest of Government to estimate the impacts of sanctions on claimants and their wider costs to government. This recommendation has not been implemented. 

 The Committee invites evidence on any or all of the following questions, from benefit recipients with experience of the system, or experts in the field, by Friday 25 May 2018:

1. To what extent is the current sanctions regime achieving its policy objectives?
2. Is the current evidence base adequate and if not, what further information, data and research are required?
3. What improvements to sanctions policy could be made to achieve its objectives better?
4. Could a challenge period and/or a system of warnings for a first sanctionable offence be beneficial? If so, how should they be implemented?
5. Are levels of discretion afforded to jobcentre staff appropriate?
6. Are adequate protections in place for vulnerable claimants?
7. What effects does sanctions policy have on other aspects of the benefits system and public services more widely? Are consequential policy changes required?
8. To what extent have the recommendations of the Oakley review of Jobseekers’ Allowance sanctions improved the sanctions regime? Are there recommendations that have not been implemented that should be?

Social Welfare Training have sent us a copy of our their final version of the 2018/ 2019 Benefit Rates Poster.

Main changes-

• * The Carer’s Allowance earnings rule is increased from £116 to £120 a week.
• * Housing Benefit non-dependant deductions (NDDs) are up-rated in line with prices(now £15.25-  £98.30).
• * The majority of working-age benefits will be frozen at their 2015- 16 levels for four years. 
• * Premiums paid to disabled people and to Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Support Group increase as per the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)which was 3.0% in September 2017. 

ABC Note: Please find a poster copy attatched for downloading. 

As if anyone really cares by now, this is the timetable for the final year for leaving the EU. 

ABC Note: Please the BREXIT timetable download below. Thank you The Foresight News Team

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection invites Jobseekers to the “Building Your Career” Event In Bishopstown, Cork On Thursday 12th April

Take the first step towards a career in construction

Cork based jobseekers are invited to “Building your Career” an event in the Cork Training Centre, Bishopstown, Cork on Thursday 12th April 2018 from 10.30am to 1pm. The event aims to highlight the career opportunities that will be coming on stream in the growing Construction Industry.

This event is being organised by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, in association with the Construction Industry Federation and the Cork Education Training Board, and is supported by the Regional Skills Group.

Jobseekers will have the opportunity to speak to potential employers, learn more about education and training opportunities in the sector, see and experience this training in action, and meet current trainees and apprentices.

To book your place please contact Abbeycourt House Intreo Office on 021 4805445 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Around 1000 frustrated residents across West Dunbartonshire were left over Easter without housing benefit because of a system error.

People expecting to get housing benefit on Friday, April 6, were left without their money and told they would have to wait until Tuesday, April 10. The council estimated the number affected by the mishap to be around 1000 from across the local authority.

To give credit to the Local Authority, anyone facing hardship through the weekend because of the delay in payments was urged to apply to the council’s Welfare Fund in order to receive short-term assistance.

Jobs Growth Wales is a programme designed to get unemployed 16-24-year olds living in Wales into employment for six months in a job paying at least the National Minimum Wage. The first Jobs Growth Wales scheme started in April 2012 and ended in April 2015. The second scheme started in September 2015.

Because of initial evaluation findings of Jobs Growth Wales 1, a number of changes were made to the programme to strengthen those areas which were most effective and remove any areas that did not perform so well. Whilst the resultant Jobs Growth Wales 2 programme is smaller than the original programme, its targeted support aims to be more effective at helping young people return to work.

The data tables presented for the first scheme are unchanged since December 2015.

Jobs Growth Wales 2

The Jobs Growth Wales 2 programme was announced on 13 May 2015. The first jobs were advertised in mid-June 2015 and delivery commenced in September 2015.

Key points since scheme 2 started until 11 March 2018

The number of job opportunities created and approved (1) was 5,907.

The number of job opportunities filled was 3,225.

The total number of applications received was 41,641, whilst the number of applicants was 14,591.

Destination data

1,899 participants completed a six-month opportunity, of which 1,641 were in employment, self-employment, an apprenticeship or further learning.

360 participants left the scheme early, of which 142 were in employment, self-employment, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Jobs Growth Wales 1

The first Jobs Growth Wales scheme ended in April 2015.

Key points for scheme 1 only, since it started until 10 September 2016(2)

Destination data (3)

12,113 participants had completed a 6-month opportunity.

3,537 participants had left the scheme early.

As of the end of April 2015

The number of job opportunities created and approved (4) was 17,195.

The number of job opportunities filled was 14,989.

The total number of applications received was 268,467, whilst the number of applicants was 48,916.

Notes

(1) This includes job opportunities that were created and approved by the Welsh Government. This figure will include job opportunities that have been withdrawn prior to an applicant being recruited.

(2) Due to early leavers and withdrawal of some opportunities it is difficult to draw comparisons between job opportunities, jobs created and participants.  For example, where someone leaves a job opportunity, that opportunity can be given to another person – this typically happens if that person leaves the opportunity within the first 4 weeks.

(3) This includes recycled jobs. For example, one job opportunity may result in an early leaver and a completed 6 month opportunity.  The destinations data are based on immediate destination following either the completion of an opportunity or at the point of leaving the scheme early.

(4) This includes job opportunities that were created and approved by the Welsh Government. This figure will include job opportunities that have been withdrawn prior to an applicant being recruited. This is the measure against which the 16,000 opportunities over the 4-year period is set and the measure which is reported in Programme for Government.

SNP MP Stewart McDonald has written to the UK Business Minister for clarification on the continuing use of unpaid work trials and has said it is ‘discouraging’ that the UK government still regards them as ‘permissible.’ Stewart McDonald said he would continue the campaign to ban exploitative unpaid trial shifts after Tory MPs ‘talked out’ his Private Members Bill at Westminster.
 
In a subsequent parliamentary question Mr McDonald asked the Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Minister what steps the government are taking to ensure that job applicants are paid the National Minimum Wage for work trials.
 
Stewart McDonald’s Bill sought to end the practice of employers asking job applicants to work for hours, days, or even weeks without any payment or guarantee of a job at the end of it. Despite wide cross-party support, a public petition with over 140,000 signatures and the backing of leading organisations including the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC), the UK government prevented the bill from going to a vote in the UK parliament.

Image: SNP MP Stewart McDonald

Stewart McDonald MP commented:
 
"The UK government has confirmed it still believes that unpaid work trails are ‘permissible' – and I find that discouraging given the enormous weight of opposition to them. Employers can still exploit and abuse people looking for work.
 
"It is welcome that the BEIS Department has said it is preparing guidance and consulting on the issue – but it looks like they are starting from the wrong place if they believe that unpaid work trials are in any way acceptable. To be meaningful, the consultation must be public and open to employers, trade unions and MPs to ensure fair representation of those who are affected and have experienced unpaid work trials.
 
"All people want is to be treated fairly but too often those who are desperate for a job are being asked to work for hours, days, or even weeks without any pay, or any guarantee of a job at the end of it  and that is clearly unacceptable. The Tories must pledge to end these exploitative trials.
 
"A fair day’s work deserves a fair day's pay and there is huge public support for a ban on unpaid trial shifts. The Tories might have used parliamentary trickery to prevent my bill passing, but the SNP campaign to change the law and improve workers’ rights will continue.”

Barrie Caulcutt says he was treated 'mercilessly' by his employers at the benefits in Caernarfon.

A disabled benefits worker has won £26,000 compensation after an employment tribunal found he’d been unfairly treated his bosses at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Barrie Caulcutt cried at the hearing, saying his life and health were ruined by bosses who called him a “whinger” who didn’t deserve to be treated nicely.

he father-of-two, who suffers from anxiety, chronic asthma and eczema, had worked for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for 35 years with an “exemplary” attendance record.

Problems started after he was moved from a backroom finance office to work on the “frontline” in Caernarfon facing claimants who were angry because their benefits were being sanctioned.

He said felt “relieved and pleased” after the tribunal unanimously found the DWP had discriminated against him by failing to make reasonable adjustments for his disability.

Mr Caulcutt said he felt his treatment had been “merciless”, adding: “My life was made hell.”

He was awarded over £26,000 compensation but further claims of harassment and victimisation were dismissed.

Mr Caulcutt, who still works for the DWP and has had successful surgery for prostate cancer, said he was asked to deal with customers despite his deteriorating health and against the advice of his GP and the DWP’s occupational health assessors.

On his return, he was given a first written warning for taking 2.5 more sick days than allowed, marked down as “could improve” and pressurised to move to work at the Bangor DWP office.

An email sent by DWP manager Bev Lovatt to Caernarfon Jobcentre manager Eiddwen Borland in September 2014 said: “Let him whinge like crap and raise it in his ET (Employment Tribunal). He doesn’t deserve us to be nice to him.”

It emerged that DWP bosses had taken photos of Mr Caulcutt and his disabled daughter at Tom Jones and Jessie J concerts in Colwyn Bay from his Facebook page, but DWP barrister David Tinkler denied there had been any “snooping”.

Mr Caulcutt’s wife Ceri said: “It’s been a nightmare. It’s made us all ill; anxious - everybody was really worried about him; what was to become of Barrie. At home, we’ve got children and a disabled daughter who needs looking after. It was one big stress. We’ve all been very upset.”

PCS union representative Peter Doughty, said: “It was callous and cruel to give a written warning to someone who nearly lost his life. I’m pleased for Barrie that he has stood up for his rights and that the tribunal found in his favour. It is, however, a sad reflection on the DWP that this case ever went all the way to a tribunal. The costs are a huge amount in comparison to the award. This is taxpayers money.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We take the welfare of our staff extremely seriously and expect the highest standards of behaviour from all employees. We will be reviewing the tribunal’s findings.”

Image: Barrie Caulcutt, pictured with his wife Ceri (Image: Daily Post)

The Find Your Future Recruitment Fair (organised by Best Training and Borough of Poole) returns to Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday 19 April 2018.

It’s a must-attend event for anyone looking to explore their career options whether you are looking for your first job, new direction or career progression and a great opportunity to talk face-to-face with Dorset employers.

For more information click below:

Today, 60 Bishops from the Church of England and senior representatives from other Christian, Jewish and Muslim organisations have come together to urge the Government to rethink its two-child limit policy, one year on from its introduction. 

In a letter to The Times, coinciding with the publication of a new report from the End Child Poverty Coalition, the faith leaders highlight how the policy is trapping families in poverty.  The two-child limit restricts the level of financial support given to families with more than two children. As a result, at least 200,000 more children and their families will be pushed into poverty by the time it is fully implemented, whilst many more than this will be locked even more firmly in poverty.

The Bishop of Durham, a signatory to today’s letter said:

‘As a society, we believe in compassion and justice. But right now, many children and families up and down our country are living in poverty.  A combination of low pay, unstable jobs, high housing and living costs are locking families in a daily struggle to put food on the table.

"It is simply not right that some children get support and others don't. We share a moral responsibility to make sure that everyone in our country has a decent standard of living and the same chances in life, no matter who they are or where they come from. The Government has an opportunity to right this wrong by removing its two-child limit policy.  We urge the Prime Minister to address this burning injustice."

The report, Unhappy Birthday: the two-child limit at one year written by End Child Poverty coalition members, the Child Poverty Action Group and the Church of England, warns that the full impact of the policy has yet to be seen. After the first year of implementation, around 160,000 families with new born babies are now up to £2,780 a year worse off than if their youngest child had been born in the previous year. From February next year, the two-child limit will also apply to families with three or more children who fall on hard times and make a new claim for universal credit, irrespective of when their children were born. By 2020/21, an estimated 640,000 families, including around 2 million children, will be affected by this policy.  

The report argues that the two-child limit combined with the freeze on children’s benefits is the most damaging welfare reform on children’s outcomes, driving the sharp projected rise in child poverty over the next few years.

Alison Garnham, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, said:

“The two-child limit is a very troubling policy. It breaks the link between need and benefit entitlement which has been at the heart of our social security system for decades. It says that some children are less deserving than others simply because of how many siblings they have, and removes the safety net for families who when supporting themselves have three or more children, but then fall on hard times because of illness, bereavement or job loss. We know that it is putting some mothers in the impossible position of deciding whether to continue with an unplanned pregnancy and see their family fall into poverty, or to have an abortion.

 “A year in, the government should reconsider this policy before more families are pulled below the poverty line.”

Image: The Right Reverend Roger Morris, the Bishop of Colchester is one of the signatories. 

ABC Note:

1. The two-child limit at one year old written by members of the End Child Poverty coalition, the Child Poverty Action Group and the Church of England, is available here: www.endchildpoverty/unhappy-birthday/
2. The End Child Poverty Coalition is made up of nearly 100 organisations from UK civil society campaigning for a vision of a UK free from child poverty: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
3. The 200,000 figure for the estimated impact of the two-child limit on child poverty is from a joint research report by CPAG and IPPR: http://www.cpag.org.uk/austerity
4. Estimates for the number of families affected by the two-child limit are taken from the Government’s own Impact Assessment: https://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/ia15-006e.pdf
5. Signatories to the letter: The Rt Hon and Rt Revd Sarah Mullally DBE, The Bishop of London; The Rt Revd Paul Butler, The Bishop of Durham; The Rt Revd Tim Dakin, The Bishop of Winchester; The Rt Revd Graham James, The Bishop of Norwich; The Rt Revd David Urquhart, The Bishop of Birmingham; The Rt Revd Dr John Inge, The Bishop of Worcester; The Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth, The Bishop of Coventry; The Rt Revd Steven Croft, The Bishop of Oxford; The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, The Bishop of St Albans; The Rt Revd James Newcome, The Bishop of Carlisle; The Rt Revd Christopher Foster, The Bishop of Portsmouth; The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, The Bishop of Chelmsford; The Rt Revd James Langstaff, The Bishop of Rochester; The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, The Bishop of Ely; The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, The Bishop of Southwark; The Rt Revd Nick Baines, The Bishop of Leeds; The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, The Bishop of Salisbury; The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, The Bishop of Gloucester; The Rt Revd Christine Hardman, The Bishop of Newcastle; The Rt Revd Tim Thornton, Trustee of Feeding Britain; The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, The Bishop of Manchester; The Rt Revd Richard Frith, The Bishop of Hereford; The Rt Revd Paul Williams, The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham; The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, The Bishop of Leicester; The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, The Bishop of Lichfield; The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, The Bishop of Sheffield; The Rt Revd Peter Eagles, The Bishop of Sodor and Man; The Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, The Bishop of Willesden; The Rt Revd Dr Alan Wilson, The Bishop of Buckingham; The Rt Revd John Stroyan, The Bishop of Warwick; The Rt Revd Clive Gregory, The Bishop of Wolverhampton; The Rt Revd Mark Bryant, The Bishop of Jarrow; The Rt Revd Alan Winton, The Bishop of Thetford; The Rt Revd Richard Blackburn, The Bishop of Warrington; The Rt Revd Geoff Annas, The Bishop of Stafford; The Rt Revd John Holbrook, The Bishop of Brixworth; The Rt Revd Jonathan Meyrick, The Bishop of Lynn; The Rt Revd Adrian Newman, The Bishop of Stepney; The Rt Revd Jonathan Clark, The Bishop of Croydon; The Rt Revd Dr Edward Condry, The Bishop of Ramsbury; The Rt Revd Glyn Webster, The Bishop of Beverley; The Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, The Bishop of Ripon; The Rt Revd Graham Usher, The Bishop of Dudley; The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, The Bishop of Lewes; The Rt Revd Paul Ferguson, The Bishop of Whitby; The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, The Bishop of Selby; The Rt Revd David Court, The Bishop of Grimsby; The Rt Revd Roger Morris, The Bishop of Colchester; The Rt Revd David Williams, The Bishop of Basingstoke; The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Gibbs, The Bishop of Huddersfield; The Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, The Bishop of Bradford; The Rt Revd Philip North, The Bishop of Burnley; The Rt Revd Rod Thomas, The Bishop of Maidstone; The Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, The Bishop of Kensington; The Rt Revd Rod Wickham, The Bishop of Edmonton; The Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst, The Bishop of Aston; The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane, The Bishop of Repton; The Rt Revd Mark Tanner, The Bishop of Berwick; The Rt Revd Robert Springett, The Bishop of Tewksbury; The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, The Bishop of Loughborough; Harun Khan, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain; Gillian Merron, Chief Executive, Board of Deputies of British Jews; Dr Philip McCarthy, Chief Executive, Caritas Social Action Network; Jill Baker, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference 2017-18; Shaykh Mohammad Yazdani Raza (Misbahi), London Fatwa Council; Alison Garnham Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group; Sam Royston, Chair, End Child Poverty Coalition; Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain.