THE UK Government came under fire after a leading charity revealed that 2000 terminally ill people died while waiting for the long-overdue social security review.
According to Marie Curie, data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), shows an average of 10 people a day died while waiting for a decision on their Personal Independence Payment claim over a five-year period. Claimants and charities have been waiting for a long-overdue UK government review of the benefits system for terminally ill people, which was finally promised last July after a series of damning reports – but there has been no sight of meaningful progress since.
The SNP has called on the UK government to follow Scotland’s lead and reform the social security system – after a leading charity warned 2000 terminally ill people died while waiting for a long-overdue review by the UK Government.
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In Scotland, the SNP Government has already introduced reforms with the law set to be changed this year – so anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness can get fast access to devolved benefits.
SNP Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Neil Gray MP said: “The Tory government must finally listen to leading charities and claimants - and urgently reform the law so terminally ill people are treated with dignity and respect, and get the financial support they need. “In Scotland, the SNP government is already reforming the rules - with a change in the law coming this year so anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness can get fast access to devolved benefits.
“The SNP is using the powers we have to create new benefits and build a Scottish social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect, which fulfils the progressive social contract that we believe people in Scotland have a right to expect. “The UK government must stop the delays and follow Scotland’s lead by ensuring fast-tracking, scrapping the heartless six-month rule that has failed so many terminally ill people in their time of need, and building a fairer social security system for all. The Tory government’s excuses have long run out - it is now time for action.
“The UK government’s appalling failure on social security over many decades demonstrates why it is vital that Scotland has the full powers of an independent country – so we can escape Westminster and get on with building the fairer and more equal society we all want to see.”
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