“Isn’t the DWP’s lawyer a cheeky madam?”

[Picture: Skwawkbox blog]

[Picture: Skwawkbox blog]

The headline is a paraphrase of what This Writer’s legally-minded friend actually said, but once you’ve read this article you’ll understand why.

Readers of This Blog will be aware that the DWP released some data about the number of people who died while claiming incapacity benefits, in response to my Freedom of Information request of May 28, 2014 – nearly 15 months after I asked for it.

You should also be aware that the information in the DWP’s release of August 27 was incomplete. However, the DWP withdrew its appeal against my FoI request and tried to claim that it had fulfilled its obligations.

Does anybody think This Writer was going to accept that?

For clarity, here’s what I received from the Information Commissioner at the end of April/beginning of May:

“The Commissioner’s decision is that the Department for Work and Pensions has incorrectly applied section 22 to withhold requested information.

“The Commissioner requires the public authority to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation.

  • To disclose the number of Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance claimants who have died since November 2011 until May 2014, broken down into the following categories:

– Those that are in the assessment phase
– Those that were found fit for work
– Those that were placed in the work-related activity group
– Those that were placed in the support group
– Those who have had an appeal completed against a Fit for Work (FFW) decision”

I sent an email to the First-tier Tribunal (information rights) asking it to issue directions to the DWP for the full information to be provided immediately, under its case management powers. I wrote:

“The Information Commissioner’s decision was for the Department for Work and Pensions ‘to disclose the number of Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance claimants who have died since November 2011 until May 2014’, meaning the date of my request, May 28. The DWP has provided information only up to February 28, 2014. Withdrawal of the appeal indicates that the information I requested – up to May 28, 2014, should be forthcoming, but I note that the updated decision sent by the DWP along with the withdrawal of the appeal states: ‘You will note that those statistics have now been published in a way which provides all of the information you requested.’

I consider that to be either a mistake or a joke that is in extremely poor taste.
“Furthermore, the decision notice orders the DWP to disclose the number of people who died, broken down into categories including:
  • ‘Those that were found fit for work”
    and
  • ‘Those who have had an appeal completed against a Fit for Work (FFW) decision.’

“In its response, the DWP provides only information on those found fit for work, or with an appeal completed against a fit for work decision, who died within an extremely limited period of time after the decision was made and their claim was ended. That is not what I requested, nor is it what the Information Commissioner’s ruling demands. In withdrawing its appeal, the DWP has agreed to provide the number of people who died between December 1, 2011 and May 28, 2014 – including all those who died between those dates after a ‘fit for work’ decision, not just those yielded up by the ‘regular scans’ mentioned in the footnotes to the statistical release provided on August 27.

I await those figures. I will not accept any excuses about the cost of producing them. By withdrawing its appeal, the DWP has undertaken to provide them, as demanded in the Information Commissioner’s ruling of April 30. I note that, in its own words, the DWP has also tried to claim that it has provided ‘all the information… requested’.  Therefore I have reason to believe the DWP will not honour this demand unless it is compelled to do so.

“I note also that the vagueness of the DWP’s statistical release, dated August 27, 2015, has created considerable confusion. Is the number of individuals who died after completing an appeal (tables 2.5 and 2.6 in the release) to be considered as being in addition to those who died after a fit for work decision (tables 2.3 and 2.4)? Are the former statistics merely subsets of the latter? How many of the appeals were granted and how many were refused? Considering this is the part of my original request that the DWP itself asked me to change, it seems odd that the answers provided have been made as difficult to understand as possible. The Department for Work and Pensions is a government organisation and therefore staffed by public servants whose job it is to make matters as easy for the general public as possible. Clearly whoever wrote this statistical release has forgotten their duty to the public and needs to be reminded of it – and the figures must be amended to make them as clear as possible.

“Reference to the DWP’s other statistical release of August 27 casts doubt on the veracity of the information in table 2.1, which claims to provide the total number of individuals who died while claiming IB/SDA and ESA. However, the figures in the statistical release entitled Mortality statistics: Out-of-Work Working Age benefit claimants do not make sense. Death figures per year for 2009-2013 are provided for the total incapacity benefits population (IB/SDA and ESA) and also separately but if the separate totals are added together, the sum is greater – every year – than the number claimed for the incapacity benefits population as a whole – by 80 in 2009, 50 in 2010, 640 in 2011, 1,880 in 2012 and 1,330 in 2013. Whilst I accept that combining the separate benefit populations will produce a number greater than that of the total incapacity benefit population, because claimants were being migrated across from IB/SDA to ESA, almost as soon as ESA was set up, I do not accept that any benefit claimant can die twice. They can only die once, and they would have been claiming only one benefit when they did so. Therefore the total number of deaths claimed in Mortality Statistics: ESA, IB, and SDA is questionable.

“Table 2.2 in Mortality Statistics: ESA, IB, and SDA sets out the ‘total number of ESA off-flows with date of death at the same time’. This table includes a group marked ‘Unknown’. Reference to the footnotes shows that “Where the claimant is not in receipt of anybenefit payment, such as ESA (Credits only), then the phase is shown as unknown. This is unsatisfactory. If a group is mentioned, then the population of that group should be explained completely.  Comments that it includes people on National Insurance credits only do not explain why they are only receiving those credits. This is particularly important because reference to Mortality statistics: Out-of-Work Working Age benefit claimants shows that, between 2012 and 2013, the population of this group decreased from 207,390 to 172,670 – a fall of 17 per cent – while the number of deaths increased from 1,550 to 1,810 – a rise of 13 per cent. As these people were not in the support group of ESA, their mortality rate should be the same as that of the general population, indicating only 394 deaths in 2012 and 328 in 2013. The fact that the actual mortality rate was nearly six times as high creates serious cause for concern about the incapacity benefits system – although, again, as the figures provided by the DWP appear to be questionable, it may be that none of these figures are reliable at all.

“It seems clear that the Department for Work and Pensions has produced two statistical releases that do not stand up to scrutiny, in an attempt to ‘fob off’ information requesters like myself with claims that the Department has provided ‘all the information… requested’. This is utterly unsatisfactory and this government department must be called to account.”

The Tribunal’s Registrar wrote back as follows:

“By withdrawing the appeal, DWP made themselves subject to the requirement of the Information Commissioner’s decision notice that they were to provide you with all the information that you asked for.  The Tribunal no longer has the ability to use rule 5 as the appeal has ended.  The Tribunal does have power is to reinstate the appeal if a party asks the Tribunal to do so.  You have not specifically asked for that and, in any event, I doubt you would want that to happen because with the way things currently stand you should receive all the information you sought.

“Enforcement of the Information Commissioner’s decision notices is dealt with by the Information Commissioner’s Office.  If you are concerned that you have not yet received all the information, you should contact the Information Commissioner’s Office to ask them to enforce their original decision notice.”

It seems clear that this is intended to be taken as confirmation that the DWP has a duty to provide all the information that was requested – and it is now up to the Information Commissioner to hold the DWP to account. If the information is not forthcoming within a very limited period of time, the Department will be in contempt of court.

That did not stop the DWP’s lawyer – who I will not embarrass by naming here – from writing to the Information Commissioner’s Office as follows:

The DWP holds no information within the scope of the ICO’s order which has not been disclosed.  They hold no data for the period February to May 2014 (though we will in future), but there is no finding in the ICO’s decision which says we did hold data for those particular months.  The DWP have disclosed everything the ICO has directed.  The Appellant seems to have misinterpreted what DWP have disclosed, and our clients’ will be writing to him in an attempt to clarify any misunderstandings.

Does anybody believe that? Now you can see why our legally-minded friend called the DWP lawyer a “cheeky madam”.

The most recent information in the request is from more than 15 months ago, at the time of writing. Let’s look back to the DWP’s ‘ad hoc’ statistical release of July 2012. Didn’t it include figures from the previous November, no more than eight months previously? It therefore seems likely that the DWP lawyer is being economical with the truth. The claim that there is no finding in the ICO decision which says the DWP held data for those months is irrelevant, and the claim that the DWP had disclosed everything the ICO had directed is a lie. You only have to look back at the direction itself (you don’t have to go far – it is quoted at the top of this article) to see that.

I have written a response – seen by all three other parties, as follows: “The decision is perfectly clear. The DWP has withdrawn its appeal against it. Now the DWP must comply fully, or find itself in contempt of court.”

Now we have to wait for the Information Commissioner’s response. Note that I have pointed out that clarification of the DWP’s very poorly-phrased statistical releases is required; hopefully the commissioner will reinforce that with a direction for the Department to comply.

You will, of course, be updated on further developments.

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24 Comments

  1. mili68 September 10, 2015 at 3:28 pm - Reply

    Tweeted @melissacade68

  2. Jonathan Wilson September 10, 2015 at 3:47 pm - Reply

    One thing that also confuses the issue is that what happens to people stuck in limbo with the mandatory review?

    Are they counted as appealing, or not appealed, fit for work, or just not counted?

    This is especially important as people requesting MR have no option but to sign on for JSA even if their illness/disability means they are excluded from claiming JSA. They can be excluded either by their own declaration “I am not fit” or by the JCP saying “you’re not allowed JSA, you are to sick” so are stuck with no money and no right to appeal until the MR is complete and that can take anything from “1 day” to “as long as we damn well like”.

    I personally think the only reason there are, supposedly, less appeals at the moment in contrast to 53% (the highest ever) winning the appeals is there is a huge number of people stuck in MR limbo and once these start to filter back into official appeals the number of appeals will increase and if the appeal wins remains constant then it will show once again that the DWP and, specifically, IDS have gone rogue.

    No wonder all his departments statistics don’t add up and he wants to do away with the ESA WRAG group and cut the money.

    Seeing his face at PMQ’s was a sight to behold as the blood drained from his face with a look of sheer terror at being found out, yet again, making s*** up.

  3. leonc1963 September 10, 2015 at 4:01 pm - Reply

    This Confirms what I have always believed with my own tribunal, DWP and it’s Ministers really do believe they are above the law and do not have to conform to the laws they themselves have written – Very Shameful Mike

  4. mohandeer September 10, 2015 at 4:21 pm - Reply

    I don’t think there is any doubt left of the DWP’s connivance and deliberate attempts to circumvent the law with respect to the statistics relating to the imposition of the WRA and consequences. Well done Mike, does your legally minded friend think that you can get the information still, or will it remain always beyond public scrutiny?

    • Mike Sivier September 10, 2015 at 5:42 pm - Reply

      Good question!

    • thelovelywibblywobblyoldlady September 11, 2015 at 7:58 am - Reply

      Mohander, S77 FOIA states; it is a criminal offence to alter, block, destroy or conceal information.

      Depending on the nature of the incident, an authority or its individual members of staff could be charged with this offence. The penalty is a fine.

      There are no financial or custodial penalties for failure to provide information on request or for failure to publish information. But you could be found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a decision notice, enforcement notice, or information notice. This could lead to a fine or, in theory, jail for a senior officer of the authority.

  5. jeffrey davies September 10, 2015 at 4:32 pm - Reply

    culling the stock yes they think they above the law but if the true figures come out are there going to be mass amazement nah this lot hide the facts away jeff3

  6. Rupert Mitchell (@rupert_rrl) September 10, 2015 at 4:48 pm - Reply

    Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive! On subsequent attempts it becomes like the Hampton Court Maze. They will stoop to any depths in order to avoid co-operating with you Mike.

  7. Nick September 10, 2015 at 4:54 pm - Reply

    The governments time is running out they bring chaos to everyone and death and they need to be careful as to treat the sick and disabled to their death with austerity is one thing but to implement it to Scotland and northern Ireland is another story
    I’m not sure the Irish are in favor at this time as theirs is a much different sort of governing of which David Cameron is just waking up to

    • Mike Sivier September 10, 2015 at 5:39 pm - Reply

      Scotland and Northern Ireland?

      • Nick September 10, 2015 at 6:43 pm - Reply

        the last thing you need mike is the likes of David Cameron meddling in the politics of northern Ireland and Scotland

        If he treats them the way he’s treats us god help as all as they are not so inclined to take what he offers with a pinch of salt they will fight and stand up for themselves and rightly so especially northern Ireland

        • Mike Sivier September 11, 2015 at 8:31 am - Reply

          Cameron is Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and Scotland – they have no choice but to put up with him meddling in their politics.

          • Nick September 11, 2015 at 10:53 am

            Maybe so mike but if you meddle with the wrong people you get your hands burnt Mrs thatcher would tell you that if she were alive

            She meddled in the wrong places and then had to watch her back for many years leading to many deaths for those who had to work with her and those close to her

            a diplomat she was not and led everyone a life of turmoil around not only this country but the wider world had she been the prime minister of india she would have been assassinated very early on by her own guards just like her good friend Smt. Indira Gandhi

  8. Paul Hanlon September 10, 2015 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    Just wanted to say thank you Mike. Good man :)

    • Mike Sivier September 13, 2015 at 1:03 pm - Reply

      I’ve done an article on that.

  9. Mr.Angry September 10, 2015 at 6:20 pm - Reply

    Mike well done you for pointing this out, you don’t by any chance have any jack russel genes in your family? Keep up the good fight, they are hating it, they think they can trample over the whole nation without any recourse. You have proved them wrong on many occasions.

  10. hilary772013 September 10, 2015 at 6:38 pm - Reply

    Yes! well done Mike… Keep chiseling away, you never know when you have chiseled all the way down, you may just find IDS & his contemptible department at the bottom with nowhere left to hide.

    Keep it up the pressure Mike, you may, fingers crossed go down in history as the one who brought IDS down.

    Thank You! from the millions for your tireless work on their behalf.

  11. paulrutherford8 September 11, 2015 at 12:52 am - Reply

    Unfortunately I am unable to comment much about the sort of things that the DWP QCs and lawyers have stated or claimed, both in court and in various written documents relevant to our bedroom tax case.

    However, I can say this, something I very firmly believe to be true… in their arrogance, DWP legal people genuinely and sincerely believe that *they* are the sole arbiters of both truth and fact. They are demonstrating this trait clearly in your FoI battle[s].

    Clearly they are not. But I am certain they think they are, and become very angst-ridden when their ‘version’ of the reality of, for example, my family life is disputed… by us.

    I can imagine them believing that the figures they have released are entirely accurate, and their dismay that *their* integrity is called into question will be palpable.

    Anyway… I await their next attempt to besmirch my wife and I at the Court of Appeal on 4 November.

    I definitely understand your [and your reader’s] frustration.

    A ‘cheek’ indeed.

  12. AndyH September 11, 2015 at 10:31 am - Reply

    Appalling. Keep up the good work though.

  13. Florence September 11, 2015 at 1:02 pm - Reply

    I can perhaps answer in part one question you raise – those who are claiming ESA but only get their NI paid. That applies to anyone who does not get the ESA benefit because they have other income (eg a small private pension). The taper starts low, and runs at 50% (ie for every £1 over £108 (ESA SG weekly rate) you lose 50p ESA. Most people do not realise that they must keep up their contribution record if they expect to claim stat pension, and perhaps think that to maintain contact with the DWP is not worth the contribution. I would expect this to also apply to those in ESA WRAG means tested where the household income taper also removes ESA payment. None of the DWP tables show if any of those on NI only are in the MR / Appeals process.

    According to the latest data from the DWP there are 196,000 on IB/ ESA who are NI contributions only.
    (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433130/dwp-stats-summary-may-2015.pdf

    • Mike Sivier September 11, 2015 at 1:06 pm - Reply

      Does it not also apply to those who were on Contribution-based ESA but whose year has run out?

  14. mrmarcpc September 11, 2015 at 3:41 pm - Reply

    Keep up the good work Mike, DWP lawyer, another arrogant bitch who wants a good slap, like her lord and master IDS!

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