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ESA Sanction Figures, April-June 2014

November 12, 2014

With many thanks to Benefits And Work.

Figures published today by the DWP reveal that it is having to overturn a huge proportion of its own sanctions against employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants even before they reach an appeal. Nonetheless, decision makers continue to sanction thousands of ESA claimants every month.

The latest figures, for April to June, 2014, reveal that sanction levels are continuing an upward trend:

April 4,118

May 4,770

June 5,132

What is most shocking, however, is the change in the number given for sanctions handed out in March 2014.

In August of this year, we revealed that 7,507 ESA claimants had been sanctioned in March

However, in the latest statistical release this number has been reduced to 4,266, suggesting that the DWP have overturned almost 45% of their own sanction decisions before claimants have had time to get anywhere near a tribunal.

To have to admit that you have wrongly imposed sanctions on such a high proportion of sick and disabled claimants should be a matter for shame, remorse and an immediate change of procedures by the DWP.

Sadly, we know that it will make no difference whatsoever.  However, it does undeline the need to always challenge unfair sanction decisions:  you have a very good chance of winning.

You can download the latest sanctions figures from the DWP website.

5 Comments leave one →
  1. Maria's avatar
    Maria permalink
    November 12, 2014 5:03 pm

    Remorse? them? don’t make me laugh, they should feel a great deal of remorse. I doubt they will. They are most empty people I’ve come across in government and its a shame they have all ended up in government, where they seemingly dictate how much we are worth and people who do not have much are being physoclogically controlled. No offense to same difference of course, this government makes me so mad.

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  2. sdbast's avatar
    sdbast permalink
    November 12, 2014 5:05 pm

    Reblogged this on sdbast.

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  3. A6er's avatar
    November 12, 2014 9:57 pm

    Reblogged this on Britain Isn't Eating.

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  4. A6er's avatar
    November 12, 2014 10:10 pm

    Reblogged this on Britain Isn't Eating.

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  5. silentinshadow's avatar
    November 13, 2014 12:23 am

    Reblogged this on silentinshadow's Blog.

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