The number of employment and support allowance (ESA) sanctions increased by almost a third in the last two months for which figures are available, statistics published by the DWP today show.{jcomments on}
The ESA and JSA sanctions statistical release shows that ESA sanctions in 2015 increased as follows:
July 1,096
Aug 1,272
Sept 1,831
The last time sanctions were as high was in April 2015.
ESA sanctions reached their highest point in March 2014, when 3,695 sanctions were handed out.
Meanwhile JSA sanctions have fallen dramatically from a high in October 2013 of 90,974 to 21,973 in September 2015.
No explanations for the changes in either ESA or JSA sanctions rates have been offered by the DWP.
