A Complete Unknown
£9.99A shift in legislation is urgently required to prevent harm to benefit claimants, according to members of parliament. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has come under scrutiny following the deaths of individuals like Errol Graham, Philippa Day, and Kevin Gale due to errors in benefit management. The committee of MPs is advocating for new laws and a significant cultural transformation within the DWP to safeguard vulnerable claimants.
The recent tragedies involving claimants like Errol Graham, Philippa Day, and Kevin Gale have raised serious concerns about the DWP’s treatment of vulnerable individuals. For instance, Mr. Graham, suffering from severe mental health issues, passed away in 2018 after his benefits were abruptly cut off. Similarly, Ms. Day tragically took her own life after an error led to a reduction in her benefits. The inquest into Kevin Gale’s death highlighted the adverse impact of DWP procedures on individuals with mental health conditions.
The report released by the Work and Pensions Select Committee sheds light on the internal investigations conducted by the DWP into the deaths of at least 274 individuals since April 2015. While 58 reviews were initiated for cases involving harm to customers, the committee suggests that the actual failings may be more widespread. Committee chair, Debbie Abrahams MP, criticized the DWP’s focus on cost-cutting over adequately supporting vulnerable claimants, emphasizing the necessity for a profound cultural shift.
Former beneficiaries like Carl and Sharon Johnstone have shared their distressing experiences with the DWP, underlining the urgent need for reform. Carl, a former roofer, described feeling dismissed and mistreated during his benefit application process. Sharon, a former rough sleeper, recalls being told that the DWP couldn’t assist with her homelessness situation, stressing the importance of including the perspectives of individuals with lived experience in policy planning. The DWP has acknowledged the need for reform and has initiated a consultation process to improve safeguarding measures for vulnerable claimants
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