Work and pensions committee hears that sanctions have seen millions withheld from claimants since coalition tightened conditionsThere is a broad political consensus that job seekers must fulfill certain obligations as a condition of receiving unemployment benefit. This consensus is breaking down,however, over how harsh this conditionality should be and whether it is effective in getting people back into work.
Ministers claim that benefits sanctions send a clear message to the tiny minority of claimants who abuse the system, and making them more likely to scrutinize for jobs,and ending the so-called “something-for-nothing” culture. They have said sanctions are a “final resort” imposed on people unwilling to work.
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Source: theguardian.com