More Than 4,000 Died Within Six Weeks Of Being Deemed 'Fit For Work', Reveal Government
Figures released today show that between December 2011 to February 2014, 4,010 people died after being told they should find work following a “Work Capability Assessment”.
Of that figure, 1,360 died after losing an appeal against the decision.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady called for an urgent enquiry into the figures, and said: “We urgently need an enquiry into the government’s back-to-work regime. These disturbing findings cannot be swept under the carpet.
“The fact that more than 80 people are dying each month shortly after being declared ‘fit for work’ should concern us all. These deaths relate to just one benefit – Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
“We need a welfare system that supports people to find decent jobs not one that causes stress and ill health.”
The figures show that of the 4,010 who died after being told they were "fit for work", 3,720 were in receipt of ESA, while 290 where on either Incapacity Benefit or it's replacement, Severe Disablement Allowance.
The DWP’s “Mortality Statistics” report states: “Any causal effect between benefits and mortality cannot be assumed from these statistics.
“Additionally, these isolated figures provide limited scope for analysis and nothing can be gained from this publication that would allow the reader to form any judgement as to the effects or impacts of the Work Capability Assessment.”
The figures have only been released after the Information Commission overruled a Government decision to block the statistics being made public.
Mike Sivier, a campaigner who requested the statistics under Freedom of Information law, said the DWP had "caved in completely".
Mr Sivier said: "I am glad that the figures have come out. The whole point of making an FOI request was to raise questions. It is important to keep asking questions."
He suggested he might now push for details of the causes of death in each case - including cases of suicide.
Labour described the figures as a "wake-up call", and Kate Green MP, Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, said: "Ministers have been trying to suppress these statistics for more than three years, even going as far as appealing a ruling by the Information Commissioner that they were acting unreasonably in doing so. The delay and the lack of transparency in publishing this information is a disgrace and has caused huge distress to the families and friends of those affected.
“These figures should be a wake-up call for the Government. Ministers need to focus on sorting out the assessment process so that everyone can have confidence in it, and providing support for disabled people who can work in order to help them do so."
Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham called for a "national debate" in light of the revelations.
He said: "These are shocking figures that for the first time show the human cost of this Government's punishing benefits regime.
"It raises serious questions about this Government's punitive approach to people on benefits.
"We now need an urgent national debate about these figures, and if elected Leader I would call a full-day debate in Parliament at the first available opportunity.
"This Tory Government has been playing politics with the lives of vulnerable people."
The DWP said the figures showed death rates had remained in line with trends in the wider population for a decade.
A spokesman said: "The mortality rate for people who have died while claiming an out-of-work benefit has fallen over a 10-year period. This is in line with the mortality rate for the general working-age population.
"The Government continues to support millions of people on benefits with an £80 billion working-age welfare safety net in place."
KEY STATS
Total number of ESA and IB/SDA benefit claimants who died between December 2011 and February 2014 - 81,140.
Of the 50,580 ESA claimants who died in that time, 7,200 were placed in the "Work Related Activity Group" - the group which the DWP consider are capable of taking immediate steps towards being in work.
Of the 50,580 ESA claimants who died in that time, 3,720 were deemed "fit for work" after an assessment.
Of the 30,560 IB/SDA claimants who died in that time, 290 were deemed "fit for work" after and assessment.
Between 2003 to 2013, the mortality rate of those on out-of-work benefits dropped from 822 per 100,000, to 723 per 100,000.
The general working age mortality rate dropped from 305 per 100,000 to 240 over the same period.
The mortality rate of those on Jobseeker's Allowance is lower than those in work - 218 per 100,000 in 2003 to 138 per 100,000 in 2013
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