A daily average of 356 Londoners claiming Jobseeker's Allowance saw their benefits sanctioned in the year to September 2013, government figures have revealed.

The statistics, compiled by London Assembly Green Party member Jenny Jones, reveal that twice as many were sanctioned last year than in mayor Boris Johnson's first year in office.

In the past year:

• 361 lone parents lost their benefits for between three months and three years, the toughest level of sanction that can be applied.
• 19,000 disabled jobseekers were sanctioned.
• 47,000 young people aged 16-24 were sanctioned.

Jenny Jones said: “The government must stop this appalling and inappropriate use of sanctions that is causing hardship and poverty for so many Londoners. I’m worried about lone parents unable to feed their children without food banks, and vulnerable people getting into debt and misery because they have been pushed through the social security safety net.

“The mayor must stop supporting their use in his own workfare scheme, and speak out on behalf of hundreds of constituents losing their benefits every day for stupid, absurd reasons.”