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Universal Credit: Disqualification

Asked by Andy McDonaldLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 13 July 2026UIN 14327

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has assessed the impact of Universal Credit sanctions on the confidence, wellbeing and long-term employment outcomes of young people aged 18 to 24.

Answered by Dame Diana Johnson

The latest published Universal Credit sanction rate figures for claimants aged 20 to 24 for February 2026 are available in the latest Benefit Sanction Statistics bulletin and accompanying data tables to February 2026, as well as through Stat-Xplore from the UC Sanction Rates dataset.

The Department keeps the operation of conditionality and sanctions under continuous review to ensure the system remains fair and proportionate.

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