Chris Stephens during a Budget debate on Thursday Group 28 Get the latest money news from the Daily Record with our weekly newsletter Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More info Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice The SNP have criticised the
UK Government for its proposed crackdown on benefits claimants. The Party's Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson Chris Stephens said that "sanctions do not work, ethically, practically or economically". He also called on the Government to introduce a "yellow card" system so people are not punished for making mistakes on benefits claims. Tory Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Budget on Wednesday that the Government would be even more strict towards benefit claimants . He said: “Sanctions will be applied more rigorously to those who fail to meet strict work-search requirements or choose not to take up a reasonable
Job offer.” Read More Related Articles Nicola Sturgeon insists SNP is not in crisis and claims leadership contest is 'tried and tested' Read More Related Articles SNP urge Tories to scrap 'keep the rich, rich' lifetime pensions allowance Stephens told MPs yesterday the new measures would not work and would cause more stress for working-class people. He said: "For those struggling on low incomes, the measures in yesterday's budget require them to jump through extra hoops, like attending job centres, even when they’re working in what we all agree are vital roles, like teaching assistants and care workers. "The earnings threshold has more than doubled in the space of just a year. This puts hundreds of thousands more people at risk of benefits sanctions, when we know
sanctions do not work, ethically, practically or economically. "The Chancellor needs to understand, no matter what he’s promising for the future, far too many are struggling to survive now.” Stephens also criticised the Government for not providing the Department of Work and Pensions review of the factors driving foodbank usage. He said: "The Chancellor referred repeatedly in his speech to the Prime Minister's ambitions and objectives. One which the Chancellor didn't mention was the Prime Minister's stated wish to eliminate the need for food banks. "Why no mention, why no review, and why no costed plan to deliver on that particular ambition?" He also said that the Government should have reduced the rate of Universal Credit deductions. The Daily Record reported earlier this week that £11.5 million had been taken away from Scots on Universal Credit in one month. Scottish politics Forbes' husband attended Tory hustings Ash Regan campaign 'making progress'
Labour makes call for SNP transparency Rishi Sunak plan on small boats blasted Stephens said: "One measure that would have cost very little, but could also have resulted in many fewer people needing to use food banks, was to ease significantly the rate of deductions from Universal Credit. "Better still would have been to waive deductions resulting from official error, or to introduce a one-off amnesty on deductions. "Why no action on this, the single biggest factor affecting people at food banks?" To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here . READ NEXT: SNP has 'no obvious successor' to Nicola Sturgeon as support for independence hovers around 50%
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