"I, Daniel Blake", a BAFTA-nominated film by the veteran director Ken Loach, tells the fictional story of an unemployed man facing his benefits being cut. For Stuart, a real-life version of Blake, the process is all too real.
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For over 50 years, Ken Loach's films have provided a social commentary of the hardships facing the poor in Britain. His most recent offering, "I, Daniel Blake", is no different. After suffering a heart attack, Blake is told by his doctor he is too ill to work but if he doesn't look for employment, his benefits will be stopped through a process called sanctions.
Sanctions include the stopping of benefit payments and can be imposed for failing to full out a form correctly.
Although the film is a piece of fiction, for some the life in "I, Daniel Blake" is a grim reality. Stuart was sanctioned and as a result became homeless. One in five people who are sanctioned end up homeless. Stuart is now living in a homeless hostel.
Less than 5% of people who are sanctioned find permanent employment. The majority land unstable, low paid jobs or remain on benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions has said that the decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough independent assessment and after consideration of all the supporting evidence from the claimant's GP or medical specialist. The department maintains that sanctions are an important part of the benefits system and that it is right that there is a system in place for tackling those few who do not fulfil their commitment to find work.
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For over 50 years, Ken Loach's films have provided a social commentary of the hardships facing the poor in Britain. His most recent offering, "I, Daniel Blake", is no different. After suffering a heart attack, Blake is told by his doctor he is too ill to work but if he doesn't look for employment, his benefits will be stopped through a process called sanctions.
Sanctions include the stopping of benefit payments and can be imposed for failing to full out a form correctly.
Although the film is a piece of fiction, for some the life in "I, Daniel Blake" is a grim reality. Stuart was sanctioned and as a result became homeless. One in five people who are sanctioned end up homeless. Stuart is now living in a homeless hostel.
Less than 5% of people who are sanctioned find permanent employment. The majority land unstable, low paid jobs or remain on benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions has said that the decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough independent assessment and after consideration of all the supporting evidence from the claimant's GP or medical specialist. The department maintains that sanctions are an important part of the benefits system and that it is right that there is a system in place for tackling those few who do not fulfil their commitment to find work.
Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films every day of the working week.
For more from Economist Films visit: http://films.economist.com/
Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk
Like The Economist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist/
Follow The Economist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeconomist
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeconomist/
Follow us on LINE: http://econ.st/1WXkOo6
Follow us on Medium: https://medium.com/@the_economist
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