Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure benefit claimants with childcare responsibilities as a result of covid-19 are not sanctioned for failing to meet Jobcentre Plus appointments.

A full range of safeguards remain in place to ensure we only expect what is reasonable from our claimants.

Claimant Commitments must be reasonable for the ‘new normal’, acknowledging the reality of a person’s local jobs market and personal circumstances to prepare them for getting back into work.

In circumstances where a claimant has informed us they have childcare issues, due to Covid 19, an easement may be applied.