Universal Credit claimants who need to self-isolate in the event of contracting coronavirus or as a precautionary measure will not be sanctioned, a work and pensions minister has confirmed.
MP Will Quince said in parliament that discretion would be used by Department for Work and Pensions staff in cases where claimants are unable to attend face-to-face meetings at the job centre, which normally could lead to benefits being reduced.
SNP work and pensions spokesman Neil Gray asked: "Could the minister outline in a case where somebody is on universal credit, for instance, has to self-isolate but is having to go through work searches and is unable to attend a job centre – will the minister expect that person to be sanctioned if they can’t turn
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