Report examines the impact sanctions have on welfare benefit recipients

Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent’s (CACBG) Research and Campaigns team have published a report which looks at the impact sanctions to welfare benefits have on people and families.

The Impact of Sanctions on Welfare Benefits Recipients: A Lesson From History report looks at what conditions welfare benefit recipients had to adhere to receive financial support in the 19th century and what sanctions were imposed if they were not adhered to. It then looks at how sanctions are impacting the people that CACBG helps in the present day.

The report illustrates that the use of sanctions today often pushes people further into debt, just as it did in the 19th century. The report offers recommendations on what can be done to prevent unfair sanctions.

There are two versions of the report. The Impact of Sanctions on Welfare Benefits Recipients: A Lesson From History compares the 19th century with the 21st century.

The Impact of Sanctions on Universal Credit Claimants in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent focuses solely on the here and now.