Film director Ken Loach has backed a private members' bill being put forward by SNP MP Mhairi Black.

Black's bill, which will be debated on Friday in the Commons, aims to introduce a code of conduct for Jobcentre staff across the UK.

The code aims to ensure an individual's personal circumstances would be taken into account by Jobcentre staff before they issued a financial sanction against their benefits.

The I, Daniel Black director tweeted his support for the bill.

Loach said: "Sanctions need to stop - @MhairiBlack is an MP who is working hard to make a difference - support her private members bill."

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP said if her proposal becomes law it would make a "real difference" to "thousands of people".

Black said: "My private members' bill - which will be debated on Friday - will introduce a code of conduct for all Jobcentres across the UK that would make it compulsory for advisers to take a claimant's personal circumstances into account before issuing a sanction.

"For example, advisers would need to consider whether a person is at risk of homelessness, whether they have caring responsibilities or a mental health condition that could be exacerbated further if their benefits were to be sanctioned.

"It is a small ask and unfortunately I can't use a private members' bill to scrap the sanctions completely but hopefully, with the support of MPs across the House of Commons, I'll be able to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people across the UK."