More than three-quarters of Universal Credit sanctions in Lanark and Hamilton East have landed on people under 30, new analysis from the Labour Party shows.
DWP sanctions are disproportionately affecting young people
Out of a total of 896 decisions to apply a sanction under Universal Credit, 699 have been applied to claimants aged under 30, meaning their payments have been stopped or cut.
Shockingly, one in four sanctions have landed on claimants aged 19 years old or younger.
“Universal Credit is causing poverty and hardship wherever it’s rolled out, especially for young people, women and minorities.
The rollout of this disastrous policy must be stopped immediately.”
Last week it was revealed that millions of families could be left up to £200-a-month worse off when the new system is rolled out to everyone on benefits next year.
Former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and John Major have warned that the issue could be as bad as the poll tax for the Conservative Party, and must be looked at again.
Andrew Hilland is Labour’s candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East
Labour’s candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East, Andrew Hilland, said:
“Not content with pursuing a hard Brexit that will damage the prospects of the next generation, it’s now clear that the Tories’ Universal Credit sanctions are hitting young people the hardest.
“Under the Tories and the SNP young people across Lanark and Hamilton East are likely to be in low paid, insecure work.
“But rather than supporting the under 30s to get into secure and well-paid jobs, the Tories are hitting them with vicious sanctions.
“Universal Credit is causing poverty and hardship wherever it’s rolled out, especially for young people, women and minorities.
“The rollout of this disastrous policy must be stopped immediately.”
