Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken modelling of the expected impact of raising the administrative earnings threshold on levels of sanctions imposed on Universal credit claimants.

All requirements are set following discussion with the claimant, tailored to their capability and circumstances, making them realistic and achievable. They take account of health, caring responsibilities, ongoing work or volunteering and any earnings.

It is not possible to do modelling for the claimants who have been affected by the changes to the Administrative Earnings Threshold. This is because we cannot determine in advance if a claimant does not meet their requirements.

People are only sanctioned if they fail to meet their agreed requirements without good reason.