PROTESTS were held in Barnsley town centre calling for an end to the 'grotesque cruelty' of benefit sanctions.
Unite the Union held protests last Thursday during a national day of action against the sanctions, which they claim have resulted in two million people having their welfare payments cut or stopped without warning leading to 'increased poverty, misery and even death'.
Unite said money can be cut for arriving late at the Job Centre, missing an appointment - even for funerals - and failing to apply for a job, even when waiting to start a new job.
Joe Rollin, Unite community regional coordinator, said: "There is no justification for this grotesque cruelty. Unite is calling on the DWP to end benefit sanctions as this situation can't be allowed to go on in the sixth richest country in the world."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated March 27. **
