Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill Debate

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Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill

George Kerevan Excerpts
Friday 2nd December 2016

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mhairi Black Portrait Mhairi Black
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My hon. Friend has put it succinctly, and I would probably agree. Part of the reasoning behind the Bill is to try to make the system not just a bit more humane, but a wee bit more economical—a bit more value for money.

George Kerevan Portrait George Kerevan (East Lothian) (SNP)
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Is my hon. Friend aware that the NAO report sets out the clear calculation that when the hardship payments and the cost of running the sanction system are added in, the Government are not actually saving any money?

Mhairi Black Portrait Mhairi Black
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That point speaks for itself. This is not a political argument; it is factual. The system is costing money; it is not giving us good value for money. It is causing a lot of distress and hardship for many people.