Report

The sanctions surge

Think tank: IPPR

Author(s): Henry Parkes

March 22, 2023

This report from UK think tank IPPR looks at the universal credit sanctions regime.

As the cost of living crisis rages on, the UK’s social safety net has a critical role to play in protecting people from deepening poverty and destitution. But a concerning trend has emerged: the rate of universal credit claimants experiencing sanctions has risen rapidly since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This briefing paper seeks to shine a light on the benefit sanctions regime in universal credit by analysing publicly available data from the Department for Work and Pensions.