Oldham MP renews calls for an independent inquiry into deaths of people claiming social security

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has renewed her call for an independent public inquiry to address the deaths of people claiming social security.

This follows the news that the family of one woman, who took a fatal overdose after her payments were cut, has announced they are taking legal action against the Government’s Work and Pensions Secretary.

Philippa Day, 27, was found collapsed at her Nottingham home beside a letter rejecting her request for an at-home benefits assessment in August, 2019.

The family's legal action follows calls from the Oldham MP for a full, independent, inquiry into the DWP's handling of at least 27 cases of people who were known to have committed suicide.

Ms Abrahams said: "A Government’s first duty is to keep its citizens safe.

"This should be particularly so for the most vulnerable amongst us.

"Unfortunately, that has not been the experience of sick and disabled people over recent years.

"There is growing evidence that sick and disabled people in receipt of social security support have died prematurely, and that this is associated with different aspects of the social security system. 

"It’s not fit for purpose and is failing to provide a safety net.

“The Government is seriously letting people down by not acting on the numerous warnings over the last seven years or so.

"They’ve had been issued with 5 Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths reports, a number of Work and Pensions Select Committee reports – the latest last autumn – and peer-reviewed research reports showing the harm of their policies.

"One estimated that between 2010 and 2013 alone the WCA process was associated with an additional 590 suicides.

"I dread to think how that figure has risen since then.

“But they have failed to act, other than tweaking their internal review processes.

"There has been no independent investigation to establish the scale or cause of these deaths.

"Instead the Government has been left to mark their own homework. 

“I will continue to highlight these tragic cases until there is an independent public inquiry into the deaths of these social security claimants.”

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