Campaigners chain themselves to railings as new Ken Loach film prompts protest against benefit sanctions

Campaigners have chained themselves to railings in Gateshead and Stockton this morning, to protest against benefit sanctions.

They say the practice of stopping benefit payments, for missing meetings or failing to actively look for work, is excessively harsh and pushes many people into poverty - and are calling for a full independent review into the system.

The demonstrations are being held on the day that the film I, Daniel Blake, is released in cinemas. Directed by Ken Loach, it was filmed and set on Tyneside, and criticises the welfare system, and particularly the use of sanctions. It was already won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The Department for Work and Pensions says:

Guidelines from the DWP on keeping your benefit payment: