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Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Asked by Josh BabarindeLiberal DemocratDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 25 June 2026UIN 11251

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to review sanctions that apply following a first missed appointment.

Answered by Dame Diana Johnson

The Department keeps the operation of conditionality and sanctions policies and processes under regular review to ensure they remain clear, fair and effective.

Details on the Department’s assessment and position on a number of benefit sanctions related matters, including the potential use of warnings for first failures, can be found in our recent response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on Recommendation 4 of its report Get Britain Working: Reforming Jobcentres (HC 653) (https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/50172/documents/270724/default/)

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