Will new ‘serious case panel’ probe benefit-related deaths? | Disability News Service
I think we all know the answer to the question posed in the headline, but fair play to Disability News Service for actually asking it.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) appears to have secured funding to set up an independent panel to examine cases where its own failings have led to the deaths of benefit claimants.
The Treasury says it will provide funding of £36 million for 2020-21 to fund both the panel and ensure that decision-making on benefit claims is “accurate” and that benefit application processes are “straightforward and accessible”.
DWP … refused to explain why it was setting up the new serious case panel, or to provide any clarity on the other spending round announcements.
Instead, a DWP spokesperson said: “We will be announcing further detail on this in due course.”
But if the serious case panel is being set up to examine deaths linked to benefit claims, and other serious cases linked to DWP failings, it would be a significant victory for grassroots disabled activists who have spent years highlighting such tragedies.
Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.
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And just who is likely to benefit? my cynical guess is that it will be the “Independent” panel and they will find everything fine and dandy with DWP. It will make recommendations the Government wants to hear to tighten the thumbscrews on disabled people even further. The panel will not finish for another 21/2 years . That money provided by the Government is ours.
Look what happened to Steve Smith’s case. Clearly a case that should have been passed on to the police for its disgraceful & shameless actions. Amber Rudd put in place an inspection and outcome was that DWP acted within the rules. That being the case then DWP must have been told to act in the way they did. There is no other explanation.
don’t be stupid did those following orders ever wonder about their victims nah aktion t4 to roll along without much of a ado jeff3