MHAIRI Black has branded benefits sanctions an “ideologically driven punishment on poor people for being poor” as the UK Government plans to reimpose penalty measures on claimants.
Tory ministers announced on Monday that Jobcentres are set to re-open this month, at which point the moratorium on penalties claimants face if they do not attend appointments will end.
The sanctions had been paused as part of emergency measures to help people during the coronavirus crisis.
SNP shadow Scottish secretary Black gave her thoughts on the penalty measures on Twitter.
“Benefit sanctions cost more to administer than they save,” she wrote. “Benefit sanctions are not about ‘saving the taxpayer money’ – though that would be a shite excuse for having them anyway.
“Benefit sanctions are an ideologically driven punishment on poor people for being poor.”
Benefit sanctions cost more to administer than they save. Benefit sanctions are not about “saving the taxpayer money” - though that would be a shite excuse for having them anyway. Benefit sanctions are an ideologically driven punishment on poor people for being poor.
— Mhairi Black MP🏳️🌈 (@MhairiBlack) July 1, 2020
Within half an hour of being posted this morning, the post had been liked and shared almost 2000 times.
READ MORE: UK Tories to restart 'cruel and degrading' benefit sanctions
Speaking in the Commons on Monday, the UK Work and Pensions Secretary claimed it is "important" that sanctions for benefits claimants return when Jobcentres re-open.
Therese Coffey also said the Government will seek to make technical changes to the pensions triple lock policy.
During Work and Pensions Questions, shadow work and pensions secretary Johnathon Reynolds called for an extension to the pause on sanctions.
In response, Coffey told the Commons: "Well, actually, it is important that, as the Jobcentres fully re-open this week, we do reinstate the need for having the claimant commitment and it is an essential part of the contract to help people start to reconsider what vacancies there may be."
Following the announcement, Reynolds released a statement attacking the Government’s decision.
He said: "It is incomprehensible that the Government is bringing back conditionality and sanctions. At a time when unemployment has risen sharply, vacancies have dropped, people are still shielding and the schools aren't back, threatening to reduce people's financial support is untenable.
"What's more, Jobcentre Plus is still lacking guidance on how premises might even open safely.
"With the unemployment crisis looming, it is alarming that there is no thought being given on how to offer proper support to those seeking work at this time. We need a proper plan from the Government to get Britain back to work – sanctions aren't the answer."
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