There is strong evidence to suggest that sanctions do drive behaviour. Of those claiming jobseekers allowance (JSA) the vast majority comply with the JSA conditions; only 14 per cent. Are actually referred for a decision and only 4 per cent. Actually have a sanction applied. Research of those that have and have not been sanctioned on JSA found that nearly half of those sanctioned think their own sanction was fair.
80 per cent. Of lone parents attend work focused interviews (WFI). Of the 20 per cent. Who fail to attend the majority, two thirds, go on to attend their subsequent WFI following a sanction or threat of a sanction.
In the pathways pilots only around 1 per cent. Of customers have been sanctioned.
These figures suggest that the overwhelming majority of claimants meet the conditions and understand the need for sanctions when those conditions are not met.
While there is a financial penalty to sanctions the threat of sanctioning is usually enough to deter non-compliance with the rules. But where there is non-compliance and a sanction is applied, it has to be sufficient to drive home the message that benefit is only paid to those who meet the conditions.