Section 27: Other sanctions, Welfare Reform Act 2012

The amount of an award of universal credit is to be reduced in accordance with this section in the event of a failure by a claimant which is sanctionable under this section.

It is a failure sanctionable under this section if a claimant—

fails for no good reason to comply with a work-related requirement;

fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement under section 23.

But a failure by a claimant is not sanctionable under this section if it is also a failure sanctionable under section 26.

Regulations are to provide for—

the amount of a reduction under this section, and

the period for which such a reduction has effect.

Regulations under subsection (4)(b) may provide that a reduction under this section in relation to any failure is to have effect for—

a period continuing until the claimant meets a compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State,

a fixed period not exceeding 26 weeks which is—

specified in the regulations, or

determined in any case by the Secretary of State, or

a combination of both.

In subsection (5)(a) "compliance condition" means—

a condition that the failure ceases, or

a condition relating to future compliance with a work-related requirement or a requirement under section 23.

A compliance condition specified under subsection (5)(a) may be—

revoked or varied by the Secretary of State;

notified to the claimant in such manner as the Secretary of State may determine.

A period fixed under subsection (5)(b) may in particular depend on either or both the following—

the number of failures by the claimant sanctionable under this section;

the period between such failures.

Regulations may provide—

for cases in which no reduction is to be made under this section;

for a reduction under this section made in relation to an award that is terminated to be applied to any new award made within a prescribed period of the termination;

for the termination or suspension of a reduction under this section.

Section 27: Other sanctions

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