I am grateful that there is a welfare system in the UK to help families at their time of need. I am also well aware that there are those who abuse the benefit system but that is not the issue I want to tackle here.

The treatment of benefit claimants by some Department for Work & Pensions staff either on the phone or face to face, is sometimes shocking, undignified, unhelpful and downright disrespectful.

The power wielded by Department for Work & Pensions staff, who have the ability to sanction claimants for a variety of reasons, can have a devastating effect on the lives of the claimant and their families.

The consequences of a benefits sanction leaves families who are already financially restricted, suffering in devastating conditions, which not only impacts on the ability to provide for their families ,with items such as food and heat but can also have a negative  impact on their mental health.

I would like claimants, if they so wish, to have the right to be able to record their appointments/calls with Department for Work & Pensions  as protection against staff who abuse their authority over claimants lives and income.