In-work conditionality and sanctions


Unions are extremely concerned that many of their low paid members could find themselves being sanctioned even though they are in work. Very low earners are currently subject to a so-called “in-work conditionality pilot”.


“This is not like other pilots we’ve seen,” said Usdaw general secretary John Hannett. “Some 15,000 people, [that is] every other UC claimant who works less than 35 hours a week and does not have a child aged 12 or under, will be subjected to in-work conditionality. This means that even though they are working, they can be sanctioned and their UC award reduced if they are deemed not to be actively seeking additional hours to increase their earnings.”


In one example highlighted by the union, a single mum with two children and working 16 hours a week was being made to job search for 21 hours a week, go to the Jobcentre every two weeks and apply for jobs she does not want and could not do because she has no childcare. She was told that if she gets accepted for a job with longer hours than her current 16 hours, she would have to take it even though she has no childcare. 


TUC head of economics and social affairs Kate Bell said the TUC does not think the government has thought through this policy. “Employers are not going to be very happy when workers are called into the Jobcentre and told they must work more hours or face sanctions,” she said. Meanwhile, the government is proposing to close one in 10 Jobcentres — a move public and commercial services PCS is campaigning to stop.