Members of Unite' the Union's community Cornwall branch picketed Truro Jobcentre recently as part of a national day of action against benefit sanctions.

About 30 people attended the gathering outside the Jobcentre on Lemon Quay to protest the practice, which can leave claimants unable to pay for food or bills for long periods of time.

Sue Farmer, who is the secretary of the local branch, said: "The practice is draconian and is forcing children into poverty. People are at risk of losing their homes. You cannot look for employment when you have no food to eat, never mind a bus-fare."

In addition to a banner, placards and flags, 500 leaflets were handed out to members of the public and information on benefit changes and sources of support were made available to people leaving the Jobcentre. Many joined the protest and added their own stories of being left without cash and unable to look after their children, pay bills or rent and of being sanctioned when ill.

Ms Farmer added: "It seems as if these sanctions are really mainstream now and more people are affected than ever. What is more the sanctions regime will soon be applied to people in work, meaning that those that rely on in-work benefits will be forced further into poverty. It's a problem that really affects Cornwall where so much work is low paid and insecure."

Data from the National Audit Office has shown that benefit sanctions cost more than they save in purely cash terms; studies show they are not effective in helping people back to work and they have been mentioned by coroners as contributing in cases of suicide. Jobcentre staff are put under pressure to make determinations to hand them out, often for minor infractions such as being minutes late, without proper assessment of background issues such as caring responsibilities or mental health problems. The rise in food bank use has been linked directly to benefit delays and the use of sanctions.

Unite Community Cornwall branch has now pledged to hold regular events outside Truro Jobcentre, until the sanctions regime is ended.