The issue of welfare benefits sanctions returns to the front today. for the Second time this week the Scottish National Party are setting the Agenda. By coincidence and some good fortune in the ballot in the week that it was their turn to choose the Opposition day debates on Wednesday today the youngest member of the House Scottish National MP Mhairi Black is bringing forward a Bill to change the law relating to the sanctions applied to those who fail to comply with their claimant commitments when they are looking for work.

There is already a huge amount of guidance given to those who have to decide whether someone has a genuine reason for non-compliance. These decision makers have to consider every case on its merits and then within the guidance they use their common sense and discretion. In my view the Bill would make the system so complicated and drawn out that the system would become almost worthless as a means of ensuring compliance with the rules and I will be opposing it.