Labour has accepted that benefit claimants are being pushed to suicide. Will the DWP?

Debbie Abrahams, Labour’s shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, speaking at the Labour Party Conference.

Debbie Abrahams just laid down the gauntlet – but does the DWP, let alone the Tories, have the courage to pick it up?

In her speech at the Labour Party Conference, she very clearly stated about sick and disabled people, that “with dwindling social security support, too many are dying early, and even taking their own lives.”

The DWP has stubbornly refused to accept any such connection between its treatment of benefit claimants and suicide – and the Conservatives have demanded that their legislation has absolutely nothing to do with deaths.

But Debbie Abrahams just came right out and said it.

And Labour is going to form a government – sooner, rather than later, This Writer suspects.

What will the DWP say then? And, more to the point, will there be an investigation into who is responsible for the many thousands of deaths caused by current DWP policy?

Here’s the relevant part of her speech:

The United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recently reported that this Government’s policies were leading to a ‘human catastrophe’. Increasingly, sick and disabled people are facing poverty and isolation. As my Disability Equality Roadshow revealed, many feel like prisoners in their own homes; with dwindling social security support, too many are dying early, and even taking their own lives.

As we promised in our Manifesto with and for disabled people, Labour will deliver on the rights of disabled people, enshrining the UN Convention into UK law.

Conference, a Labour Government will transform our social security system from one that demonises, to one that is supportive and enabling. Like the NHS, it should be there for any one of us in our time of need, providing dignity and security for all.


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10 Comments

  1. Daniel Margrain September 25, 2017 at 10:38 pm - Reply

    “And, more to the point, will there be an investigation into who is responsible for the many thousands of deaths caused by current DWP policy?”

    If Yvette Cooper has anything to do with it, no.

  2. anne goodwin September 25, 2017 at 10:45 pm - Reply

    We need a labour government to stop these ridiculous assesmentsand put the system back where it was DLA your own gp knows you better than anyone so it should be placed back in their hands.not a person who doesnt know any thing about you and stopping your benefit to keep up with targets .they dont realise that you would much rather have your health than receive benefits believe me its no fun being in pain all of the time.our only hope is Jeremy corbyn I pray he can help us .

  3. STEVEN McGuire September 26, 2017 at 12:10 am - Reply

    Not a truer word spoken The sooner JC in number 10 the better for the many not the Few

  4. Brian September 26, 2017 at 12:16 am - Reply

    Look out for the share price of Staples going up, as orders for shredders begin.

  5. Paul Rutherford September 26, 2017 at 1:45 am - Reply

    A pity some people didn’t believe me when I told them this really was accepted by Labour, and that they will act on it to make things better. They’ll start by scrap the WCA and PIP processes.
    I helped launch the Disability roadshows and the manifesto, and heard some of the harrowing stories people told first-hand. Both JC and Debbie A were visibly moved… they are good people and really deserve to get into government.

  6. marcusdemowbray September 26, 2017 at 6:44 am - Reply

    Well done Ms Abrahams, Labour and UN, plus all who stand up to The Brutality. Eventually The Brutality will be ended, then perhaps when can see Justice being meted out to its perpetrators.

  7. Liz Douglas September 26, 2017 at 2:24 pm - Reply

    Can I just ask why on your fb page there’s no ‘Like’ ‘Follow’ or comment buttons only ‘Share’ and while I’m on here’s a very important report on Legal Aid for benefit claimants and the rest who have no recourse in law against these egregious Tory policies. I visited your fb page to share this .

    “Everyone who receives a means-tested benefit should be automatically eligible for legal aid, without further assessment. The roll-out of universal credit provides an opportunity to introduce this reform
    https://sirhenrybrooke.me/2017/09/22/the-bach-report-its-message/

  8. Jeffrey Davies September 27, 2017 at 6:35 am - Reply

    hmmm words yet they have to get into power first while many many many more will die at the hands of this government the cull rolls on action t4 rolling along without much of a ado jeff3

  9. wildthing666 September 27, 2017 at 4:07 pm - Reply

    The DWP accepting that claimants are pushed towards suicide! You are more likely to see pigs fly.

  10. Wendy B September 29, 2017 at 2:35 pm - Reply

    Would it not be a good idea that in light of the report about this Governments behaviour towards vulnerable people from the UN if as many people as possible wrote to the UN and said thank you for the report but also ask them what do they intend to do about it next because its all very well them saying what they have but to just leave it up in the air like that gives people false hope -I know several people with disabilities who are just crippled by fear that soon their means of survival will be taken away and they will die .I have never known it before in this Country where vulnerable people are terrified of their government ..

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