'Geographical Variations in JSA Sanctions and Disallowances', Supplementary evidence submitted to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry into the Role of Jobcentre Plus in the reformed welfare system, Second Report of Session 2013-14, HC 479, Vol. II, pp. Ev w101-w111

Webster, D. (2014) 'Geographical Variations in JSA Sanctions and Disallowances', Supplementary evidence submitted to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry into the Role of Jobcentre Plus in the reformed welfare system, Second Report of Session 2013-14, HC 479, Vol. II, pp. Ev w101-w111. Technical Report. House of Commons, London.

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HofC W&PC DW Suppl Evidence 8 Aug 13.docx

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Publisher's URL: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmworpen/479/479vw.pdf

Abstract

The evidence previously submitted on 22 May 2013 contained an error (now corrected) relating to the variation in the rate of total sanctions/disallowances across areas in relation to unemployment. This supplementary evidence reports a more thorough analysis of geographical variations in sanctions/disallowances. It shows that different types of sanction/disallowance relate differently to the local unemployment rate. Those related to leaving a job voluntarily or through misconduct, or to neglect to avail or refusal of a job opportunity, occur more often in areas where jobs are plentiful. Claimants are more often penalised for non-attendance at interviews, or for non-participation in training or employment schemes, in areas where jobs are scarce, although practice in relation to interviews appears to vary widely between local offices. The analysis also shows that there is a lot of variability between Jobcentre Plus offices in the overall rate of referrals for sanction/disallowance. This variability does not appear to have increased following the abolition of referral benchmarks in April 2011. However, the average rate of referrals has increased, suggesting, when taken together with other evidence reported in the media, general pressure on staff to increase sanctions/disallowances. Further useful analysis at Jobcentre level would require publication of data by individual reason. The finding that disqualifications for voluntary leaving/misconduct vary inversely with the rate of unemployment across areas as well as over time appears to be new, and casts doubt on the rationale for these disqualifications and particularly for their severity.

Item Type:Research Reports or Papers (Technical Report)
Keywords:unemployment, welfare conditionality, Jobseekers Allowance, sanctions
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Webster, Dr David
Authors: Webster, D.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Publisher:House of Commons
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Author
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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