In yet another setback for the Dept for Work & Pensions claimants who received a benefit sanction for not undertaking a Universal Jobmatch have had their lost benefit payments restored. The DWP will, yet again, seek to introduce new regulations to compel claimants to use Universal Jobmatch or suffer benefit sanctions.
Following a letter from Roger to Mark Hoban MP, Minister for Employment seeking clarification of the situation, the DWP has admitted that sanctions were

incorrectly applied to claimants but stated that: “The Welfare Reform Act 2012 will enable us to mandate certain Universal Credit claimants to use Universal Jobmatch.”
Recent Ministerial Responses from the DWP:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B 9TwqUlwHK6MjQ1  NUF0YjBGZjA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B 9TwqUlwHK6R2tCb Xo0OG1paWs/edit?usp=sharing

This article appeared in the March edition of Roger's newsletter 'Postcard from Parliament'