13,947

of 20,000 signatures

To Mel Stride MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The evidence is clear that benefit sanctions do not work. Studies have shown that they do not increase the likelihood of finding work, and can actually make it harder for people to find employment. In addition, sanctions can cause significant financial hardship, with many individuals and families being pushed into poverty as a result.

The current system of sanctions is fundamentally unfair. Sanctions are often applied without warning or explanation, and many people are not given a fair opportunity to challenge the decision. This can lead to individuals and families being unfairly penalised, with no recourse to justice.

88% of Organise members agree that benefit sanctions push people into poverty rather than encouraging them to get back to work. (April, 2023) [1]

Petition text

Together we are calling on the UK government to reconsider its use of benefit sanctions. We believe that a fairer and more effective system is needed, one that supports individuals and families in finding work and improving their lives, rather than punishing them.

We urge the government to:

1. Conduct a review of the current system of benefit sanctions, with a view to reforming or abolishing it.
2. Ensure that any new system of sanctions is fair, transparent and provides individuals with a fair opportunity to challenge decisions.
3. Release the 2019 study into whether fining benefit claimants is effective in getting them to take a job or work more hours.



[1] Organise snap poll: https://organise.network/s/603cd2

5 Apr 2023
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