Stephen Crabb MP

Secretary of State

Department for Work and Pensions

14.06.16 

Dear Stephen,

I am writing regarding the recently published reports on 49 social security claimants who had died between 2012 and 2014.

It is not at all surprising that the (heavily redacted) reports highlight grave flaws in the handling of claims by vulnerable people.

The purpose of this letter is to ask what action you have taken to address the recommendations from those reports. I would also like to make clear my support for the establishment of an independent body to review the deaths of social security claimants and for an independent review of benefit sanctions. 

The punitive and insulting culture that has been part of the Government’s so called welfare ‘reforms’ is clearly causing real harm.  Compulsory, generic 'back to work' schemes simply do not work for people with fluctuating long-term health conditions.  The sanctions based regime frequently makes people worse.  These schemes cause real, and often severe, anxiety for people, as the evidence makes clear.

It is time for a new approach, designed by those with expertise in providing the personalised and specialist support that people want and need – and involving those most directly affected.  Crucially, the ethos has to change: schemes have to be voluntary and people should be properly and fairly supported.  The evidence shows that, where excellent voluntary schemes are made available, people take them up when they are well enough to do so.

I should be grateful for your response to the points I have raised.

Yours sincerely,