Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the policy set out in section 4.31 of the Government's Growth Plan 2022 published on Friday 22nd September 2022 that claimants who do not fulfil their job-search commitment without good reason could have their benefits reduced (a) who will conduct the assessment to determine whether a claimant's benefits will be reduced as part of that policy and (b) if she will set out a definition of the term 'without good reason' as it appears in that policy.

All requirements are set in discussion with the claimant, tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable. The requirements will be clearly set out in the Claimant Commitment.

Where a claimant does not fulfil their agreed requirements, DWP will give them every opportunity to provide their reasons before referring to a Decision Maker. The Decision Maker will take into account the claimant’s individual circumstances, the external situation, and any evidence of good reason they have provided, before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.

The Department’s guidance for Universal Credit decision makers is contained in “Advice for Decision Making” (“ADM”) and Decision Makers are trained to judge the merits of each individual case.

The Chapter on Good Reason in the ADM can be accessed on gov.uk at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046460/adm-k2.pdf