Deaths whilst on Incapacity Benefits – statement by Jeremy Corbyn

Last Updated: August 28, 2015By

In response to figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions on the known number of deaths while claiming incapacity benefits, Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn said: “It is clear that the work capability assessment has failed to adequately assess support needs, and has caused immense distress and suffering for thousands of disabled claimants.

“I voted against the legislation* that introduced the WCA and have campaigned alongside disabled people’s organisations to scrap it ever since. The assessment process needs to be completely rebuilt in partnership with disabled people and health professionals.”

* Welfare Reform Act 2007

The figures, published under freedom of information laws, show that more than 2,500 sick and disabled benefit claimants have died after being found ‘fit for work’ in just two years.

Source: Deaths whilst on Incapacity Benefits – Jeremy Corbyn for Labour Leader

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15 Comments

  1. Nick August 28, 2015 at 2:29 pm - Reply

    lets just hope Jeremy Corbyn can get elected and kill off this DWP regime of mass deaths of the sick and disabled

    It will probably be to late to save my life mike but at the age of 60 i think i have done well even if i say so myself

    • rollingerc August 28, 2015 at 3:49 pm - Reply

      how many will die by 2020? not sure we can afford to wait

    • LilacWhispersl August 28, 2015 at 4:02 pm - Reply

      Hey, Nick – that’s enough of that! You’ve got years and years ahead of you, so there’s plenty of time for Jeremy to put things right for you. I am nearly 68, disabled, and I have put my trust in him, and you should do the same. For the first time in many years, there IS light at the end of the tunnel! Roll on May 2020!!

  2. Mili August 28, 2015 at 3:23 pm - Reply

    Tweeted @melissacade68

  3. Owen Williams August 28, 2015 at 3:47 pm - Reply

    Something that has irritated me a fair bit about this mess since the figures themselves were released, is that no-one seems to be quoting the same number as everyone else. Labour says its 2,500 in two years; the Greens say it’s 4,010 in one year (though they don’t specify exactly which year they’re talking about), and honestly I haven’t even bothered to look at what the Tories are saying it is (they probably think it’s in single-figures, no doubt… ¬_¬ ). But a bit of clarity would go a long way, even across party lines. I hate when they deliberately muddy the waters like this, knowing full-well that an average joe like me probably couldn’t make head or tail of the figures in the actual report if they tried…

  4. Ian August 28, 2015 at 4:31 pm - Reply

    That’s a lot better than what Liz Kendall came out with a couple of weeks ago, ‘we must support disabled people but we must support normal people as well’.. She couldn’t even say one positive thing about benefits without qualifying it, just so ‘normal’ people – presumably hardworkingfamilies – don’t take umbrage.

    As for ‘normal’ people…

  5. Ian August 28, 2015 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    Oops. Aparently Kendall didn’t say that. Tough apparently at The Mirror’s hustings, Yvette Cooper said ‘we ought to move on’ from her abstaining on the welfare bill vote.

    No, Yvette, we hadn’t ought to move on, you cowardly, opportunist fraud. People have died because of this government and there are more deaths to come so no, we’ll keep on about it, if that’s okay with you.

    Oppose or pay your ill-gotten wages back.

  6. casalealex August 28, 2015 at 5:14 pm - Reply

    Another 7,200 people died after being placed in the WRAG, the group for disabled people who can do ‘some work’, another 7540 died waiting to be assessed…..

  7. Wendy McMillan August 28, 2015 at 6:17 pm - Reply

    I have followed your work over the last 3 yrs and, to my shame, have never commented, nor added anything as I simply didn’t have the words. I had plenty of feelings but have relied on you and others like you to speak for me so, very belatedly, thank you. The other thing, of course, is the guilt of not having enough money to donate.Today, something has changed. I am not sure exactly what but it feels like hope.
    We have lived for so long under a blanket of fear eg I know my kids and nephews, all who are employed that is, are afraid to speak out on social media because they know that employers look at their timelines/walls or whatever and they need to work to pay bills, feed kids etc.
    Today a little of the truth has been told, I know its probably to cloak something they think is worse and that it’s taken your tenacity and much else to make it happen but I don’t care whose Special advisor is given a peerage. As our youngest MP Mhairi Black said, they need to decide whether they want a museum or a working parliament. Last but a long way from least, is the huge movement triggered by J C standing for Labour leader. I hope all is not too late for Nick, the previous commentator, I will send well wishes his way cos, today it just might work.
    Thanks for all you do

  8. Michael Broadhurst August 28, 2015 at 9:10 pm - Reply

    Dr Death should be brought to justice for coporate manslaughter or crimes against humanity.the man is nothing more than thieving,lying,murdering, scumbag of a man.
    there will be some fireworks up here in Manchester when this gang of fascists come
    up for their annual party conference.

  9. Rupert Mitchell (@rupert_rrl) August 29, 2015 at 6:41 am - Reply

    Oh Yes! I have appreciated the article and I appreciate all your efforts Mike to show the true reality of the effects of this so-dreadfully manipulated department. I note that Jeremy Corbyn is at the fore in wanting this travesty of justice replaced by a proper caring department with a man suitable for the job; not sure what the other three really want here!

    We all owe YOU our gratitude for getting this disgraceful department shown up for what it is.

  10. Mr.Angry August 29, 2015 at 7:58 am - Reply

    They should be barred from having a conference as all it will be is another string of false promises and lies, why waste more tax payer money, ” The Tory Mafia”

    Where is the United Nations on all this one asks, crimes against humanity and pork face want’s to change our human rights, I am sure he does.

  11. Sylvia Coles August 29, 2015 at 3:09 pm - Reply

    WEll done , MIke. Most of the national newspapers covered the story, although with different emphasis! Compare The Guradian with the Daily Mail! But I noted none of them quoted the source (you); just a “disability group” was the nearest they got.

    • Mike Sivier August 29, 2015 at 3:28 pm - Reply

      Some quoted me – the BBC, for example (although I come across like some kind of simpleton)!

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