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<p>In October this year, the Work and Pensions Select Committee set out recommendations
relating to the economic and health effects of sanctions, which the Department is
considering and will be responding to in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Sanctions are only
used in a small percentage of cases, and that is when people fail to meet their agreed
commitments without good reason. Latest data, published 12 November in the Benefit
Sanction Statistics, shows that in August 2018, 2.9% of people subject to conditionality
on Universal Credit had a deduction taken from their benefit award as a result of
a sanction.</p><p> </p><p>When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision
Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health
conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good cause, into account before deciding
whether a sanction is warranted.</p>
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