TUC Calls For Urgent Enquiry After Back-To-Work Deaths Revealed

Legal action forced Ian Duncan Smith’s Department of Work and Pensions to publish statistics, which show that between 2011 and 2014 over 4,000 people died shortly after losing their claim for Social Security and being declared 'fit for work'.

Following the release of the statistics on Thursday 27th August, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady, commenting upon the 2,300 ESA claimant deaths within the statistics, 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.

We need a welfare system that supports people to find decent jobs not one that causes stress and ill health.”

Examining the Stats in total, displayed as they are in a confusing manor, the reader will find that the true figure of social security claimants dieing within 12 months of a decisions having been made to remove their financial support over a 3 year period (Feb 2011 to Dec 2014) covered by the stats, is in fact: 4,010

Source: TUC

See also: Death Statistics Of Disabled Claiming Social Security Finally Released

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