Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is her Department’s policy to stop (a) Universal Credit, (b) New Style Jobseeker's Allowance and (c) income-based Jobseeker's Allowance claims of people who refuse to (i) engage with a Jobcentre and (ii) accept a job offer.

Apart from those with exceptions, all customers must accept a Claimant Commitment as a condition of entitlement. The requirements any customer is asked to meet will be clearly set out in their Claimant Commitment, including attending appointments and undertaking work-related activities.

Where the Department has evidence that a customer has failed to undertake their agreed work-related requirements without good reason, we will look into whether a sanction – which is a reduction in the amount of benefit paid – is applicable.

Where a customer in receipt of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance fails to attend their Work Search Review and fails to make contact within 5 working days, their entitlement to benefit will also cease.