Martin Johnstone points out that when benefits claimants lie they get sanctioned, yet the DWP got away with hoodwinking the public with fake case studies

If someone claiming benefits is caught lying to the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) they are very likely to be sanctioned, that is to lose their benefits for a minimum of four weeks. But if the DWP is caught being less than economical with the truth about people on benefits – as it was recently – there is apparently no sanction (although individual members of staff many be disciplined).

I find such hypocrisy staggering. This shambles happened not because of a couple of rogue employees but because of the culture within the DWP, which is intent on proving that its reforms are working even though the great majority of independent evidence is pointing in exactly the opposite direction.

Over the last year I have, on a number of occasions, told those working for the Job Centre about the experiences of people I know (and trust) who have been sanctioned or who are in fear of being sanctioned. Like many others, I have said that the current system is deeply damaging and inhumane.

I have met the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions once before – he was twenty five minutes late for the appointment. As far as I am aware, he didn’t have his salary docked.

Martin Johnstone

There are many examples of how ludicrous the system has become: of people being punished for their bus being late, for having a hospital appointment, and, on one occasion, for attending a job interview! I have pointed to evidence that people’s health and relationships are being damaged, and that the current system actually makes it harder for people to get into work. I have been told that the DWP can point to people who would say exactly the opposite. Now, apparently, it is clear that they can’t.However, it is time to move beyond the trading of insults. As a wise colleague once pointed out: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth just leaves us all blind and gumsy." I want, instead, to tell a different story.

At last week’s Poverty Truth Commission, we heard from a commissioner who has been sanctioned that he was fed up being identified in that way. He drew our attention to the fact that he is much more than someone who has being harshly treated by the DWP. Whilst he was living without benefits he still sought to do his bit for his community; he continued to volunteer in a local group every week, he still tried to look out for others, he carried on going to his drama group. Generally, he tried his best to remain resilient although he admitted it was tough.

It got me thinking about what it might look like if, instead of punishing people when they are down, we were to have a system focused on how we support and encourage folk to fulfil their potential? I have seen that approach work again and again in families and in organisations. How can we, together, make it work for an institution like the DWP.

That’s a conversation I would like to have, alongside my friend, with Iain Duncan Smith. I have met the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions once before – he was twenty five minutes late for the appointment. As far as I am aware, he didn’t have his salary docked. Nor should he have – we all know that that sort of punishment is completely counter-productive. So let’s do something different instead.

Martin Johnstone is secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council and a member of Scotland’s Poverty Truth Commission.