Recently I have become aware of Benefit Sanctions and their role in the need for food banks. Put bluntly it seems that both the threat and use of hunger is being used as an instrument of government policy.

Every person claiming Job Seekers Allowance must sign a Claimant Commitment, which is a detailed list of tasks to be completed each week in order to avoid being 'sanctioned'. There are as many as 30-40 activities. Failure to comply with any one of these may result in a sanction.

Being sanctioned means your benefit is stopped for a period of time. This is enforced as soon as possible 'to ensure that claimants see the consequences of their actions or inactions sooner' (Decision Makers Guide).

In 2014 18 per cent of people on JSA were sanctioned.

This leaves little time to plan for a period with no income. Many claimants report the first they knew of a sanction is when they are unable to withdraw money at the cash machine.

One person on JSA told me that she had been sanctioned for not applying for a job that required her to drive. She can't drive.

Another was sanctioned for being late for an appointment when his bus had failed to turn up.

Data indicates that people with mental ill health, the physically ill, lone parents and the vulnerably housed are disproportionately affected. The current sanctions system hurts the most vulnerable in our society.

The implementation of Universal Credit will extend the sanctions system to those in work but on low incomes and claiming benefit. No other country in the world has imposed a widespread sanctions regime on low paid workers.

Surely it is time to rethink the sanction system. There needs to be a change in attitude from one of punishment to one of assistance and support.

Hunger should never be used as a tool in such a regime.

Mary Bullard

Kendal