The TaxPayers' Alliance have long called for reform of the benefits system to make work pay, and Tim Newark explained to Nicky Campbell on the BBC's The Big Questions why sanctions have to be part of that reform effort.
Getting people back into work isn't just good for taxpayers, but good for the people concerned too. Encouraging people into work, and giving them the chance to build better lives for themselves and their families, should be a top priority - but it will only be done by making work pay, and getting the long-term unemployed to engage with the system.