New figures from the Ministry
of Social Development (MSD) today show the Government
thinks it can sanction its way out of poverty, and in doing
so, has completely misunderstood the issue.
The number
of benefit sanctions for missed MSD appointments surged to
9,042 in the March 2025 quarter – more than double the 4,356
recorded in the same quarter last year.
“I’d remind
the Government that people on benefits are, first and
foremost, people,” says Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
spokesperson Isaac Gunson.
“It’s highly unlikely
twice as many people suddenly started missing
appointments.
“What seems more likely is that MSD has
become quicker to cut people off, despite the very real
barriers many face in attending.”
“These are people
doing their best in tough circumstances. They may not have
access to childcare, a working phone, or may simply be
confused by the system.
“When every dollar counts,
even a short trip to the local office can be unaffordable.
Buses don’t always run on time. Sometimes they don’t run
at all.”
“We’ve all missed meetings before. Now
imagine doing that while trying to survive on the bare
minimum.”
“The last time sanctions were this high, a
global pandemic had just broken out. If the Government
blames ‘prolonged cost of living pressures’ for
worsening poverty indicators, why wouldn’t those same
pressures also lead to more missed
appointments?”
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These sanctions largely
affect people on Jobseeker Support and Sole Parent Support,
those already made vulnerable by redundancy, solo parenting,
or the rising cost of living.
Pushing
people off income support doesn’t make the job market
fairer or more accessible. It just assumes success is
possible while unemployment rises and support systems become
harder to navigate.
CPAG is calling on the Government
to stop treating people on benefits as a spreadsheet to be
cleared, and to remember its responsibility is to tackle
poverty, not the people trapped in
it.
