A sociological study into the potential long term effects of welfare sanctions on 16 - 25 year old males claiming Job Seekers Allowance within Scotland with particular reference to the Oakley Report recommendations to the Department of Work and Pensions.

Abstract

This study into the long term effects of welfare sanctions on the 16-25 year old males within Scotland is motivated by my personal experience in dealing with such issues within my role as a volunteer advisor at a local Citizens Advice Bureau. It is reasonable enough to suggest that those who are in receipt of unemployment benefit regardless of the type, does all that they can to get back into work and if they are not doing so, there should be some form of penalty or punishment. But are these penalties just? Are those who issue penalties doing all they can to educate those most vulnerable, to avoid these forms of penalties? This report will investigate such questions and in doing so, highlight the current situation for those in receipt of benefit and in particular, Job seekers allowance (JSA).