Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government's commitment in its response to the Oakley Review, Cm 8904, to strengthen guidance so that hardship provision is clear upfront to all claimants who are sanctioned, what progress has been made in strengthening such guidance; and whether the planned implementation date of August 2014 was achieved.

In response to the recommendation we implemented improvements to the hardship process in July 2014 which includes strengthened guidance for work coaches. All claimants will be informed about how and when they can make an application for hardship payment following a conditionality doubt.