A cross-party committee of MPs is calling for improved protections for vulnerable benefit claimants, especially following numerous deaths and lawsuits stemming from failures by welfare officials.
The Work and Pension Select Committee stated that many tragic incidents, including incidents where claimants took their own lives, could have potentially been avoided if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had actively worked to mitigate its liability.
One specific case highlighted was that of Errol Graham, a disabled man with a long history of mental health issues. Tragically, he died from starvation in 2018 after his benefits were terminated.
In both scenarios, the coroner found that the DWP did not adequately address the severe challenges faced by claimants navigating a welfare system that has been criticized as marginalizing and unsupportive.
The committee expressed that these high-profile cases, along with the DWP’s prioritization of “real care and support” for vulnerable individuals, have unfortunately undermined public and claimant trust in the system.
They shared accounts from benefit claimants who reported feelings of anxiety and trauma during their interactions with the DWP, with one stating they felt “the system that was supposed to help us ended up suffocating us.”
Furthermore, the committee noted that policies like benefit sanctions and deductions are frequently misapplied to those in vulnerable positions, putting them at even greater risk of harm.
Debbie Abrahams, chair of the committee, emphasized the urgent need for profound cultural shifts within the DWP to better treat vulnerable claimants.
“It’s clear that the system is failing to protect people, as evident by ongoing harm faced by those dealing with the DWP,” she remarked. “I’ve heard from numerous sources that the DWP processes themselves can cause significant mental distress.”
Since 2020, at least 240 internal reviews by the DWP have investigated cases of death or serious harm, suggesting that actions or inactions by authorities may have played a role. Moreover, there have been nine instances since 2013 where the coroner formally recommended the DWP take steps to prevent future fatalities of claimants.
However, the committee concluded that there seems to be a lack of proper understanding regarding the impacts of the DWP’s defensive policies within the department. “We are troubled that the true scale of death and serious harm to vulnerable claimants remains largely unknown,” they observed.
The committee is advocating for an independent agency to scrutinize significant protective failures and take necessary actions, expressing concerns that the DWP may not be managing these cases effectively.
They proposed that the DWP should face a legal requirement to protect vulnerable claimants. Although the minister has resisted such measures in the past, Liz Kendall, the secretary of state for work and pensions, indicated to lawmakers in November that she might be open to the proposal.
The committee argued that such a legal obligation would drive necessary changes in the sector’s culture, support consistent protection practices, and enhance accountability in instances of disability.
Mark Winstanley, a mental health advocate, voiced his support for this statutory obligation, stating that vulnerable individuals living with mental health issues have suffered severe repercussions due to failures in the benefits system.
A spokesperson for the DWP commented, “This government is devoted to safeguarding those who use our services and addressing the imperfections in the inherited welfare system. We’re committed to working for everyone in need, which is why we are currently consulting on a new protection approach.”
They added, “When we present our change plans, we want the public’s voice to be heard through these consultations, enabling us to develop a practical approach that benefits everyone.”
