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A senior Tory minister has admitted the Coalition’s use of benefit sanctions is “inhuman”.

Skills and Education Minister Nick Boles, a close pal of David Cameron, called for an urgent review of the hated system after the May election.

It comes after damning reports revealed sanctions are used by the Coalition to punish the most vulnerable in society.

Mr Boles is the first top Tory to admit the system is unfair.

“With some of these cases, it seems to me there is an inhuman inflexibility that is imposed on them,” he said.

“The sanctions are a worry, and do need to be looked at.”

(Image: I-images)

The use of sanctions - stopping people’s benefits for weeks at a time when they fail to meet punishing Job Centre targets - has been ramped up by the Coalition since 2012.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady raged: “Everyone but Iain Duncan Smith can now see the vicious sanctions regime is destroying the welfare safety net that any of us might need.

“However long you have worked, however much you have contributed, you can still lose your benefitd for being five minutes late.

“Of course people should not be able to play the system, but the overwhelming majority of people are looking for work and need help, not harassment.”

Job Centre whistleblowers have told how pressure is piled on them to slap people with sanctions for spurious reasons.

On Monday a devastating report revealed nearly 100,000 kids have been hit in the past year alone.

The study by church groups also found more than 100 people a day with serious mental illness have their benefits stopped.

(Image: PA)

The system has led to tragic cases such as that of ex-soldier David Clapson, a diabetic man who died starving with £3.44 to his name after his benefits were stopped when he missed a Job Centre appointment.

Mr Boles said experts should now look at the “most unreasonable” cases.

“In the run-up to the election there is not a lot we can do,” he said.

“But we can get the case studies together where the sanctions seem to be most unreasonable.

“The beginning of a parliamentary term, when people are looking at things afresh, is the best time to make a change.”

His words are deeply embarrassing for the Tories, who still publicly insist the sanctions regime is fair and effective.

Even Deputy PM Nick Clegg has said the system must be changed, warning sanctions force people to use food banks to stay alive.

Last night Downing Street issued a statement insisting Mr Boles supports the system.

David Cameron’s official spokesman said: “Nick Boles has said he strongly supports benefit sanctions, and believes those who can work should work.”