Benefit sanctions more likely for minority ethnic claimants, UK data shows

Black universal credit claimants were 58% more likely to be sanctioned than white claimants, with mixed ethnic groups 72% more and Asians 5% more likely to be penalized.

These figures confirm what many have long suspected—that the welfare system disproportionately penalises black and ethnic minority communities, leading to extreme hardships like food bank usage.

The public needs to know whether sanctions decisions are being made fairly, and the DWP must assess any potential for discrimination in its sanctions process.

An equality impact assessment of universal credit in 2011 flagged up the risk that minority ethnic claimants would be disproportionately affected by sanctions, raising significant concerns.

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