Benefit sanctions in England are set to resume from tomorrow.

I signed the petition yesterday. The govt seems to be determined to reduce the numbers on benefits any way it can. Sanctions for being late for an interview seems to be as good a way as any from their point of view.

Given the paucity of public transport in the regions it is very harsh and unnecessary.

Given their willingness to throw millions at their cronies, they've got to save money somewhere.

There's going to be a tsunami of unemployment following the virus. I guess denial of unemployment benefit is a good way to kill off more of the poor.

I wonder how many people on benefits (or about to be on benefits) voted tory? I know the pandemic was beyond the tory's control, but their heartless treatment of benefit claimants isn't.

Conservative (i.e not tory) estimates of increased unemployment as a result of covid puts it at about 3.5 million people. Many people think this is an underestimate and that it could be as high as 6 million.

Johnson's pitiful £5 billion isn't going to make much of a dent in the jobless figures...

I have just signed the petition. Employment is going to be massive, and the last thing people need are sanctions when the jobs just aren't available.

There's going to be a huge problem for people who don't have computer access, as libraries aren't fully open and aren't allowing access to computers. For some people in receipt of benefits, the library is the only computer access they have.

Other countries are moving to new job retention schemes. Let's hope we here the same from the Chancellor next week although I feel we are still lagging with anything helpful.

Even if that does happen there will still be a flood of unemployment and the already unemployed. It really doesn't bare thinking about but the government must.

The government's "New Deal" needs to include quality re-training schemes. The unemployed can't just be thrown on a scrap heap.

I have signed. Thanks GGumteenth. As usual with this government it is pick on the weakest and most vulnerable.

Signed. I think you have said it all but it’s no surprise as this government is morally corrupt. The New Deal is another way just to divert attention. What is the point of ‘massive’ infra-structure projects? Where are the skilled trades going to come from? Investment would be better spent in training trades properly, investing in greener ideas and projects to make the most of our ingenuity, cutting management and investing in staff etc. NOT SPENDING OUR MONEY ON STUFF THAT THE MAJORITY DO NOT NEED!

Apologies for shouting. It just makes me so cross!