Stephen Timms Announces Personalized Approach to Benefit Sanctions

Stephen Timms, a senior minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, informed the Work and Pensions Committee that the government plans to move away from a "one-size-fits-all approach" regarding benefit payment sanctions. He stated that the department aims to tailor requirements to individual circumstances to better support vulnerable claimants and those with additional needs.

Timms emphasized that multiple checks and independent decision-making occur before any sanction is imposed. He acknowledged that while sanctions remain part of the system, the goal is to implement more personalized support to ensure safeguards are in place for those with additional support needs.

Under current Universal Credit rules, sanctions reduce the standard allowance by either 40% or 100% per day. Depending on the claimant's age and the nature of the requirement failure, these daily reductions range from £3.40 to £13.90.