YES WELFARE NEEDS REFORM – BUT AT WHAT COST?
Please: Can Government repair welfare reform so that no more families, nor friends have the names of their loved ones placed on this Memorial Page? Thankyou.
Welfare Reform Death Toll 33.
The list where welfare reform is alleged to have some culpability …
1. Richard Sanderson
http://www.courtnewsuk.co.uk/?news_id=26081
2. Paul Reekie
http://news.scotsman.com/arts/Author39s-suicide-39due-to-slash.6438473.jp
3. Paul Willcoxson
http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/9095159.Jobseeker_took_own_life/
4. Leanne Chambers
5. Christelle Pardo
6. Kayjah Pardo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/07/mother-suicide-welfare-state
7. Elaine Christian
8. George From Chesterfield
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2011/02/sick-who-gives-atos.html
9. David Groves
10. Mark Mullins
11. Helen Mullins
12. Man From Uncle
http://www.abcofesa.co.uk/board/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=413
13. Vicky Harrison
14. Tuvalu Widow
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?262469-help-me-take-Atos-and-DWP-to-court
15. Linda Knott
16. Jack Shemtob
17. Appeal Too Late To Save Sister
http://www.dpac.uk.net/2011/05/cuts-kill-the-story-of-a-sister-driven-to-suicide/
18. Stephen Hill
http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/fit_to_work_dad_had_heart_attack_1_4228295
19. Sandra Moon
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/back_problems_led_to_fatal_dose_1_437852
20. Craig Monk
21. Martin Rust
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/norwich_man_killed_himself_over_back_to_work_fears_1_1358116
22. Paul Turner
23. Mark Scott
Though a little good news for Mark Scott’s Dad, Cliff:
http://socialwelfareunion.org/archives/600
24. Brian McArdle
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/atos-killed-my-dad-says-boy-1411100
Sadly too late for Brian McArdle. But we PLEAD with the DWP, Government and Parliament: Please make welfare reform SAFE and FIT FOR PURPOSE.
25. Christopher Charles Harness
An inquest at Louth Sessions House, was told Mr Harness was looked after by carer Lorraine Ruth Jones, but his mental state had deteriorated after hearing his funding was to be withdrawn.
This website list tries not to be political, but unfortunately the issue is. Critics, please try some decency and compassion. Detractors say that there is no evidence. A THREE hour debate by CROSS-PARTY MPs in the House of Commons on 17th January 2013 clearly showed there is a UK wide problem. Some MPs have up to ONE THIRD of their constituency mailbag and case-load taken up with current welfare reform problems. PLEASE make welfare reform better. PLEASE make it SAFE, FAIR and FIT FOR PURPOSE.
26. Karen Sherlock
http://www.welshfocus.co.uk/2012/06/the-death-of-karen-sherlock/
and
http://welshdisabilityforum.co.uk/2012/06/the-death-of-karen-sherlock/
Karen Sherlock - “How many more disabled people will die frightened that their benefits will be taken away?”
http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/rip-karen-sherlock.html
Karen Sherlock faced endless pressure, the judgement of society, the fear of destitution, the exhaustion of constant WCA and ESA assessments and endless forms – all as she battled to survive, and help other disabled people with what energy she was able to muster through her own overwhelming disablements. Karen eventually died of a suspected heart attack on 8th June 2012. Rest In Peace Karen, you cared for others and did your bit to help.
27. Carl Payne
Fears over losing his incapacity benefits and concerns about his health led a Whitehaven father-of-two to take his own life, an inquest has ruled. H.M. Coroner David Roberts concluded: “It is clear that he was worried that his benefits would be affected, and although he had no immediate financial worries and plenty of family support, he was perhaps concerned about depending too much on his family.”
28. Stephen Cawthra
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/localbrad/8109703.Man_found_dead_had_money_worries/
29. Peter Hodgson
http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/fears-over-benefits-led-to-tragedy-1.1024319?#
Fears over benefits led to tragedy: Christine Graham discovered Peter Hodgson dead at his home just a day after he received a text telling him to attend the Job Centre. “After the text, he just said: ‘I give up’,” quotes Christine, who was with Peter for 13 years. “He didn’t plan to kill himself,” she said. “I believe the text triggered him. He was terrified they would stop his money as he had four loans. He couldn’t handle stress and would worry.”
Mr Hodgson, was unable to work after he suffered a brain haemorrhage and a stroke and had his leg fused following a football injury. He had previous worked as a life-guard.
30. Colin Traynor
31. Nicholas Peter Barker
Mr Barker was due to attend a welfare reform appeal hearing on 18 December 2012 against a decision to stop his benefits. A statement from Mr Barker’s doctor said they had spoken by telephone on 4 December 2012 and Mr Barker had been upset because his benefits were being stopped after an annual assessment, as he did not have the required number of points to qualify.
Coroner Michael Oakley said that Mr Barker’s death had been a deliberate act and that he had killed himself.
HM Coroner Michael Oakley further stated: “The main factor worrying him was that his benefits had been stopped and had he attended the appeal he may have been successful, but it did not get that far.” Mr Oakley continued in his summation: “It is evident that the matter was concerning him greatly.”
Nicholas Peter Barker committed suicide on 10 December 2012 where welfare reform distress had evident culpability.
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/10360733.Benefits_withdrawal_led_to_man___s_suicide/?ref=twtrec
32. Iain Hodge
Committed suicide on 27 April 2013. The 30 year old father of one was found by his fiancee Vicki Pollock. Iain Hodge’s family report he committed suicide following a battle with the Department of Work & Pensions.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/benefits-row-dad-takes-life-1875339
33. Stephanie Bottrill
Committed suicide on 4th May 2013, and left definitive, documentary evidence alleging direct culpability on welfare reforms.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bedroom-tax-victim-commits-suicide-1883600
PLEASE
NO MORE. PLEASE JUST ASK A FRIEND FOR HELP. OR ASK YOUR DOCTOR.
ONE DEATH IN THE MANNER OF THOSE LISTED ABOVE IS TOO MANY. THIRTY THREE IS JUST THE ICEBERG OF THESE CASES. TOO MANY.
PLEASE DON’T GO THIS WAY
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THANKYOU PARLIAMENT
Thankyou to the House of Commons for the debate held on 17th January 2013. Often our Members of Parliament receive a bad press. This debate brought to the main chamber by the Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP to highlight problems surrounding the Work Capability Assessment and concerns over welfare reform showed how Parliament can present itself at it’s finest.
The strength and quality of debate was added to in impact by the almost universal and unusual CROSS-PARTY concensus with contributions from all politcal sides that the current Welfare Capabilty Assessment system needs reforming and to be made fair. Importantly the WCA needs to be made fit-for-purpose.
However, many, many Members of Parliament distinguished themselves with a fine, forensic, and genuinely honorouble debate.
Official Parliament Debate 17 January 2013
Whatever else, this day, the House of Commons was at it’s best.
Thankyou from the heart.
Calum.
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1,666 Welfare Reform Deaths
… each year where people who the DWP / ATOS medically assess and enforce as “fit-to-work” inconveniently die after their DWP / ATOS medical assessment. How can a DWP / ATOS assessment system be so fundamentally and fatally flawed – yet allowed to continue with ministerial impunity to answer for these deaths?
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Please Help Move Things Forward To Repair Welfare Reform
By Signing The Petition At …
38 Degrees Website – Welfare Reform Petition