Reinstatement of benefit sanctions

Early day motion 673, tabled 30 June 2020 by Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party). Signed by 36 members.

That this House believes that the decision to reinstate benefit sanctions in the middle of a health and economic crisis is a profoundly callous step; further believes that this is an ideologically driven, punitive measure which simply adds to the stress and anxiety for people who are already facing hard times; notes that removing benefits and forcing people to use food banks to feed their families does nothing to help anyone back to work; and urgently calls on the Government to extend the suspension of sanctions as the covid-19 crisis continues and the numbers claiming universal credit soar, with a view to scrapping benefit sanctions altogether.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 25, Labour 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Alliance 1, DUP 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.