Britain’s welfare state is quite rightly the envy of the world and was designed to create a society where the vulnerable and less able are protected and to cushion the blow of joblessness at times of economic downturn.

However, as with any system that appears to give something for nothing there will be those who try to take advantage and are happy to take benefits from the state without holding up their end of the bargain – trying to find gainful employment to keep the economy moving in the right direction.

It will shock those who work hard to live to hear that a recent crackdown on people refusing to properly look for work when in receipt of benefits has seen jobseeker’s allowance docked from people in Bradford on a massive 8,000 occasions in just eight months.

It may seem harsh to some to have their money taken away and there will doubtless be those who feel hard done by for having their benefits removed. Whether people agree with them or not, the rules are quite clear – if you are in receipt of benefits due to joblessness and are quite able to work, then not actively looking for a job will result in sanctions of this type.

There have been unpleasant knock-on effects, though – a rise in the number of people using food banks because their benefits have been stopped. While the Government will undoubtedly feel it should be congratulated for its crackdown, withdrawal of welfare must be deployed sensibly and correctly.

The best way for people to avoid such sanctions, though, is to maintain their commitment to find work at all times.