679,820 New Deal Sanctions
So, we are always hearing about the millions of people who New Deal has supposedly helped get such jobseekers back in to work off benefits. You have also heard about how poorly New Deal participants are treated and perhaps you have your own experiences to back up this, but Ipswich Unemployed Action can reveal that over 679,820 sanctions have been awarded to lucky New Deal participants since the year 2000.
Whether the Government likes to admit this or not, the figures are an alarmingly high figure (equates to approx 84,977 sanctions per year) which probably suggest why the Government has refused mine and numerous other peoples attempts to reveal the numbers of people on New Deal being dismissed (or exited as they like to call it) under the Freedom of Information Act claiming an exemption.
Whereas these figures state the exact number of sanctions successfully imposed, it doesn’t state the number of times New Deal participants were exited/dismissed. It can be assumed that for each sanction a dismissal had occurred because that is the procedure however, myself and Andrew to name just two examples have been dismissed in the past without any imposed sanctions at all.
The figure of 679,820 definite dismissals with sanctions is a big figure so it is best to break it up.
New Deal
Prior to April 2004 but after April 2000, there were 193,300 sanctions awarded. At this time their systems didn’t specify which New Deal scheme it referred to. After April 2004 they are more detailed. The above figures equates to a rough average of 48,325 sanctions per year.
This is 4,027 sanctions per a month; 929 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 261 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri) solely from New Deal.
New Deal for Young People (NDYP)
Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 325,390 successful sanctions awarded.
Gateway 2 Work (GtW)
On New Deal for Young People (NDYP) Gateway to Work there were 119,570 dismissals leading to successful sanctioning.
This is 2,491 sanctions per a month; 575 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 115 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri) solely from the Gateway 2 Work (GtW) stage of New Deal for Young People (NDYP).
ETF/VSO Option etc. (Option stage)
On New Deal for Young People (NDYP) VSO etc. there were 205, 560 dismissals leading to successful sanctioning.
This is 4,282 sanctions per a month; 988 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 197 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri) solely from the Option stage of New Deal for Young People (NDYP).
Other NDYP
I assume this category refers to the Adviser stage of New Deal; there were only 260 sanctions which equates to just over 1 a week.
New Deal 25+ (ND25+)
Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 64,750 successful sanctions awarded.
Gateway 2 Work (GtW)
On New Deal 25+ (ND25+) Gateway to Work there were 7,110 dismissals leading to successful sanctioning.
This is 148 sanctions per a month; 34 sanctions each week solely from the Gateway 2 Work (GtW) stage of New Deal 25+ (ND25+).
Intensive Activity Period (IAP)
On New Deal 25+ (ND25+) IAP there were 57,640 dismissals leading to successful sanctioning.
This is 1,200 sanctions per a month; 277 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 55 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri) solely from the IAP stage of New Deal 25+ (ND25+).
Basic Skills
Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 1,700 successful sanctions awarded equating to almost 2 every working day.
IAP (ages 50-59)
Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 40 successful sanctions awarded equating to just under 1 a month.
Refusing/Failing a Jobseeker Direction while on New Deal
Does this mean refusing New Deal?! Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 70,190 successful sanctions awarded for refusing New Deal/Jobseeker Direction.
This is 1,462 sanctions per a month; 337 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 67 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri) solely for refusing New Deal.
“Unknown”
Since April 2004 up until April 2009 (not up until New Deal ended) there were 5,980 successful sanctions awarded. We assume this category of Unknown New Deal is the other schemes such as NDDP, NDLP etc. out of process of elimination (i.e. the NDYP, ND25+ accounted for).
This is 125 sanctions per a month; 29 sanctions each week or to break it down completely, 6 sanctions each working day (5 day week Mon-Fri).
Reflection
From 2000 to April 2004, there were 193,300 sanctions making a rough figure of 48,325 sanctions per year. After April 2004 (up until April 2009) there were 486,520 sanctions making a rough figure of 121,630 per year.
This is an increase of 60% in sanctions.
Flexible New Deal
The Conservatives claim they will bring tougher sanctions and the Labour Party seems to have similar ideas.
high sanction figures come as no surprise and shows how unbalanced the system is,new deal is notorious for its abuses of people for simply being unemployed and these figures reflect this.
gordon brown has made much of these sanctions,it isnt just at the provider abuses happen its also at the job centre where these incidents occur,anyone who is forwarded for this program must be prepared to take down any evidence of abuse,keep calm.
i personally found i was “leaned” at the first new deal interview to get off the dole in those words,if everything in life was simple.rather then help in any way the attitude of this “advisor” was atrocious to say the least,its clear they offer no solution only near constant abuse throughout this program,any criticism of new deal and you will be sanctioned.
they like to deal in paperwork,and if your on placement regular “reviews” take place as to your performance,this is used as another excuse to abuse,they say they “document” everything, you must do the same this will all come back at a later date if the need arises,expect double standards as regular staff are left alone while all the attention focuses on new deal “volunteers”.
i personally learned a lot about the provider the the job centre how they work,their at times underhanded deceitful tactics.i am still unemployed despite all the talk/abuse in the past. it amounted to just that talk by obnoxious people,once this is seen it all has little effect.
Comment by ken — November 6, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Hi Ken,
It will get worse on Flexible New Deal as providers have the ability to sanction jobseekers.
Also there appears (from what I have heard) to be no paperwork for Flexible New Deal (unless thats done later at the Induction).
Comment by Flexible New Deal — November 6, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
it makes little difference to the “I’m telling” even if it is concocted stupid behavior these people exhibit.
they dont like people who “kick up a stink” and start complaining use it to your advantage at the right time.
these outfits are only interested in the money,as hayley taylor of benefit busters points out its to be exploited as an opportunity.some within these groups have certainly done that.
Comment by ken — November 7, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Excellent investigation.
This bit about sanctions (a special of the Bill) will mean an outrageous level of unccountable power. And think – soon we’ll have the Work for Benefit with this hovering over people’s heads.
Comment by Andrew Coates — November 7, 2009 @ 11:07 am
Thanks Andrew
Did you know that the Welfare Reform Bill got passed in Parliament?
Welfare Reform Act 2009
WfYB not too long off…
Comment by Flexible New Deal — November 17, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Andy, Ken… I have read the Flexible New Deal guidance and this power to providers are also an anti-benefit fraud method in addition to an attempting to bully jobseekers…
I initially thought they could award up to 6 month sanctions. I am then advised under the booklet thats they can only do fixed sanctions (2,4 and 26 weeks) but the guidance states they can also do variable sanctions (up to 6 months).
=> Flexible New Deal providers must verify who you are in all contact mediums. That is, if you receive a phone call from them dont be upset if they ask you for your full name, address, post code, National Insurance number, date of birth and your last 2 jobs (this is what the jobcentre suggests). They might even ask to confirm your phone number even though they have just used it to contact you.
=> Flexible New Deal providers are contractually obligated to discover clients whom might not be entitled to Jobseekers Allowance and report them for a sanction.
=> Flexible New Deal providers can force you to apply for agency jobs and when you refuse they can report you for not accepting an employment opportunity and sanction you a variable 6 month sanction. (Like what the jobcentre does now)
=> Flexible New Deal providers can sanction you for not accepting an appointment. That is, instead of negotiating a time and date, they can demand, so if you have a doctor, court or dentist appointment you have had planned for many months you could be sanctioned.
=> you might be interested to know that Flexible New Deal providers are warned to consult Jobcentre Plus before responding to Member of Parliament letters. See http://feedback.flexiblenewdeal.me.uk/topic/jobcentre-plus-warns-flexible-new-deal-providers-from-responding-to-mp-letters
Comment by Flexible New Deal — November 7, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
Oh I forgot to say that if you refuse to give such details over the phone or they think you are not entitled to claiming Jobseekers Allowance… they will report you to DWP Fraud Line…
The quote for the identity checks is as follows:
“14.17. If you suspect someone is impersonating a customer fraud action should be taken. The National Benefit Fraud Hotline (0800 854 440) is a government service for the confidential reporting of benefit fraud. “
Comment by Flexible New Deal — November 7, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
you have a right not to give personal details over the phone in case your details are used for identity fraud though saying this best thing to do would be to ask for the persons name and contact number tell them you are needing the toilet and will phone them back
hang up and phone back after 5 mins that way if they answer the phone correctly good morning rng how may i help you they are genuine
if challenged just say you are wary of giving personal details on phone in case of identity fraud thereby no fraud has been committed on the part of the claimant
Comment by ian — November 12, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
agency jobs are a waste of time by the time you phone up the vacancies are filled
so what is the bloody point in making you apply for them?
Comment by ian — November 12, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
Answer: to get you on their books. Its a win-win situation for agencies having jobseekers allowance claimants…
Two scenarios for jobseekers:
1) Jobseeker fails to or refuses to apply for a job advertised by an agency because its casual hours/part time zero hour contract job – has “good cause”.
2) If an agency you have registered with invites you to an interview or otherwise notifies you of an vacancy, to Jobcentre Plus this is an “job offer” thus if you turn it down you are turning down an “employment opportunity” and will be sanctioned for it (should they find out).
Comment by Flexible New Deal — November 12, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
i agree with agency jobs,even on the job centre points continually,its very strange when you phone they say they have had 250 applications,yet the same jobs are still posted near constantly.
also passing an agency locally the same vacancy has been in the window for some time.
Comment by ken — November 17, 2009 @ 8:44 pm