A HIGHLY critical report, published by a committee of MPs yesterday, suggests that Jobcentre staff are given targets for kicking people off benefits.
The report shows that 860,000 Jobseekers had their benefits sanctioned last year, the highest ever.
The report shows that many of those sanctioned were forced to go to food banks so as to avoid starvation.
The PCS union, which represents Jobcentre Staff, commented that it is the Tory coalition government that is putting intolerable political pressure on staff, giving them ‘target-like’ objectives to drive people off benefits.
The report produced by the Work and Pensions Select Committee stated: ‘The PCS union reported that Jobcentre staff were being put under pressure by management to increase sanctioning rates.
‘The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has strongly denied the existence of any national or local targets for sanctioning – following an investigation and report to the Secretary of State on the issue carried out by Neil Couling.
‘However, PCS believed that the Department had “expectations” about the appropriate level of sanctioning and that these were “targets by another name”.
‘The PCS also highlighted that Jobcentre staff whose sanctioning rates were not meeting expectations were subject to an “improvement plan” – formal performance management proceedings.’
The committee then pointed to the huge rise in jobseekers having their benefits sanctioned: ‘Under the new rules introduced in late 2012, the number of sanctions has increased to the extent that some 5% of all Jobseekers Allowance claimants are sanctioned every month.
‘Some 860,000 Jobseekers Allowance claimants were sanctioned in the year to June 2013, the highest number in any 12-month period since at least April 2000.’
The committee warned: ‘Our evidence suggests that many claimants have been referred for a sanction inappropriately or in circumstances in which common sense would suggest that discretion should have been applied by Jobcentre staff.’
Responding to the report, PCS said: ‘Political pressure on Jobcentre staff has led to sanctions increase.’
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘No one joined the employment service to be in conflict with the people they are there to help, but this government is seeking to punish the unemployed, sick and disabled.
‘This political pressure is making life intolerable for claimants and staff alike.’
