Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what procedures are in place to ensure that people claiming universal credit are informed of sanctioning rules in the case of missed appointments due to illness.

Claimants are advised at the outset of their claim and at relevant points throughout the life of their claim of the requirements for receipt of Universal Credit, including the need to attend regular meetings, and what will happen should they fail to meet those requirements. When making an appointment, either by telephone or by letter, the claimant is further advised that they may be sanctioned if they fail to attend without a good reason.