Universal credit (UC) sanction numbers have hit record highs since Labour took power, the latest figures released by the DWP reveal.
Before Labour took office, the highest number of monthly sanctions had been 57,276 in January 2024.
However, since Labour were elected, up to October 2025 – the latest month that figures are available for - sanctions have gone over the 60,000 mark on three occasions.
In October 2024 there were 61,601 adverse sanction decisions, in January 2025 there were 64,866 and in October 2025 there were 63,025.
90% of all sanctions are for failure to attend or participate in a mandatory interview and a further 5% are for failing to be available for work.
You can read the full sanctions statistics here.
Benefits and Work subscribers can download a copy of our 30 page guide to “Ways to Prevent and overturn ESA and UC sanctions” from the ESA and UC guides page
