THOUSANDS of people have died after being declared “fit for work” sparking fresh calls from campaigners and politicians for an overhaul of the Tory Government’s “evil and inhumane” welfare regime.
New statistics released by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) show that more than 80 people a month are dying shortly after work capability assessment (WCA) found them fit for work.
The shocking figures revealed that 2,380 claimants died between December 2011 and February 2014 shortly after being told to get back to work and their benefits were being stopped.
The data also reveals that during the same period, 50,580 people who received employment and support allowance (ESA) died within two weeks of their claim ending.
In an exclusive interview with The National yesterday, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil called for an urgent investigation into the welfare sanctions postcode lottery and claims that Jobcentre Plus staff were being pressurised into stopping benefits for vulnerable people.
Last night, SNP Social Justice Spokesperson, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, joined Neil and demanded an immediate halt to all sanctions. She also urged every non-Tory in the House of Commons and in the Scottish Parliament to force an amendment to the welfare cuts which are destroying lives.
Whiteford said: “These are deeply disturbing figures which add further weight to the SNP’s argument that we need a social security system that allows people to enjoy happy and healthy lives instead of the stress and worry inflicted by the current Conservative regime."
“With around 50 per cent of ESA and Jobseeker's Allowance sanctions being overturned there is a clear need for proper decision making in the first place so that hundreds of thousands of people do not have to go through unnecessary misery and anxiety.
“These figures make for truly heartbreaking reading and further underline the need for an independent root and branch review of the UK Government’s conditionality and sanctions regime, with an immediate halt to sanctions while it is carried out.
“The UK benefits regime is clearly failing the people it was set up to help and while the Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate the effects of this unforgiving system we would be able to do so much more if these crucial welfare powers were in Scotland’s hands.”
Tom Pollard, policy and campaigns manager at mental health charity Mind, also called for an overhaul of the benefits system.
He said: “We have serious concerns about the benefit system, particularly for those with mental health problems currently being supported by ESA.
“The assessment used to decide who is eligible for ESA does not properly take account of the impact having a mental health problem can have on someone’s ability to work. As a result, many people don’t get the outcome that’s right for them, and have to go through a lengthy and stressful appeals process.
“We desperately need to see an overhaul of the system, with more tailored specialised support for people with mental health problems and less focus on pressuring people into work and stopping their benefits.”
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