The DWP is continuing to hit universal credit (UC) claimants with a harsh sanctions regime, the latest official figures show.  The vast majority of sanctions are for failing to attend or to take part in a mandatory interview.

The sanctions rate has remained above 7% from August through to November of 2023, the most recent months for which figures are available.

Sanctions were at their highest in January 2017, at 11.83%. 

But from there on they fell almost uninterruptedly through to March 2020, when they had reached a low of 2.51%.

Face-to-face interviews were then suspended due to the pandemic and sanctions fell to almost nothing.

However, with the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face appointments in April 2021the level of sanctions has increased rapidly.  By October 2021 it had already surpassed the pre-pandemic level, reaching 2.69%.

Since April 2022, it has never fallen below 6% and has risen as high as 7.3%.

UC Sanctions rate graph

uc sanctions rates graph

95% of all sanctions are imposed for failing to attend or to take part in a mandatory interview.

Benefits and Work members can download a copy of our 30 page guide to Ways to prevent and overturn ESA and UC sanctions from the ESA and UC guides page.

The full UC sanctions statistics are available here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    The Dog Mother · 13 hours ago
    With each passing day I'm more and more consumed with fear and dread over these proposals.
    Esp,for now, the forced migration from Esa to UC. The whole process has me terrified.
    I honestly don't know which way to turn for the best. I can find no way round it other than go through the changeover or don't. If I don't and I lose pip, if these other changes come in,as it's damn hard enough to get now, I couldn't even live on it as I get low rate both components.  
    Grateful as I am for it. But if that stopped too I'd be in stuck.Id have nothing to survive on. Like a lot of you on here. It really is panic stations. 
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      Bob · 7 hours ago
      @The Dog Mother It has people scared the whole process is stressful I don't have internet access at home so would need help with applying online maybe need to contact citizens advice.  Also people have told me that have already switched that it was a good six weeks before they sorted it. What do u live on in the meantime.  And if you are already in ESA support group do u have to have another dreaded assessment. 
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      M shirker · 11 hours ago
      @The Dog Mother @Don’t worry I feel the same too its the weeks of no money the looming threat of sanctions the bullying work coach being monitored all the time just horrible although their is 800,000 people to get threw so it might not be until this time next year anyway I will probably stay on the lcwra as long as I can but in the end going to be forced into work at some point in the future I will just do 18 hours and by the time I do I will be late 50s anyway 
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    A · 1 days ago
    Can we please list the disadvantages of migrating to UC?

    To me, the major one is having to do with a work coach. Even when you're in Support Group/LCWRA, they still annoy you, keep calling you, to check whether you're not abroad, or want to work, and ask you to meet with them periodically. In addition, since they're in charge of your case, as soon as you've reached the proposed time for you to have a reassessment, they'll contact to you and ask you to look for work, or get a sicknote and fill in ESA50 form, while when you're on ESA, time drags and you could be contacted for a reassessment years after the proposed time has elapsed, as no particular person is in charge of your file.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      The dogmother. · 11 hours ago
      @Pete Thanks for that. Makes me feel a bit better.
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      Pete · 12 hours ago
      @A In fact I actually know somoene in that group that has basically been treated like they were in the support group for ESA. 

      When they were asked to migrate, the DWP actually made a point of telling them nothing would change. Although granted I wouldn't trust he DWP
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Pete · 12 hours ago
      @A I didn't think it was like that for those in the LCWRA group?
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      The Dog Mother · 13 hours ago
      @A Entire things a disadvantage, from not being automatically transferred over to all else involved.  Absolutely beyond dreading any aspect of it. 
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    wibblum · 2 days ago
    In preparation for this 'great adventure' I've done some research on my local Jobcentre (which has moved location since I last visited it). It's now in a building on a raised plaza with the only access to it being a long flight of steps. It's almost hilarious.

    I wonder if they'll let me off attending my work-focused interviews due to the fact that they effectively have no disabled access? 
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    Richard · 2 days ago
    Currently I pay ALL of my enhanced PIP for both mobility and personal care to employ a Personal assistant for 10-12 hours per week I have both severe mental ill health and multiple physical disabilities.
    I did pass Islington council's FACE assessment on several occasions,  but it actually worked out more expensive than employing my own PA. Also, they didn't even read the risk assessment that stated I have an ESA (Emotional support animal- a tiny French bulldog) the carer they sent couldn't work out how to do my budgeting, refused to enter my flat due to the dog,  and refused to take me shopping   The council even stated eventually that they only sub-contract for generic elderly care assistants which is unhelpful as I am 58 and don't require my bottom wiping.  The council then refunded me over £3000 for 3 months of this.

    My current PA is a 3rd year student nurse and gives a higher standard for everything I require,  her salary goes towards paying her high rent here in London for her and her husband.  If the changes to PIP occur I do not know what I will do. Often I even pay her overtime out of my Support group ESA. I do hope Labour get into power before these changes as it can't make the situation any worse.  Even the Clown Ian Duncan Smith resigned as DWP Secretary of State years back because he saw what the Tory changes were doing to long-term sick and disabled people.