Matthew Oakley, a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee, has been appointed to carry out an independent review of benefit sanctions for the government.
The review – which is stipulated in the Jobseeker’s (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013 – will look at the clarity of information given to Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants to help them understand the consequences of failing to take part in mandatory back to work schemes, and navigate the appeals system.
The review will report in Spring 2014.
For more information see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/independent-reviewer-of-benefit-sanctions-announced
The Jobseeker’s (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013 was introduced as a result of the decision to quash the Jobseeker's Allowance (Employment, Skills and Enterprise Scheme) Regulations in Reilly and Wilson v Secretary of State.