Killed by benefits cuts: Starving soldier died 'as result of Iain Duncan Smith's welfare reform'

[rebel11]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/killed-benefits-cuts-starving-soldier-3923771

[abc123def]

That's tragic. Poor guy.

[unclebulgaria67]

Why is IDS not facing investigation for manslaughter in some cases ?

 

It does seem that DWP is not taking its welfare responsibility seriously and in such tragic cases they always seem to blame local support services, which the government has cut funding to. In this case they refer to hardship funds when benefits are withdrawn, but from what I understand access to hardship funds is not guaranteed and is limited. In this case the local job centre has not taken into account this persons health/welfare situation, when withdrawing benefit.

[*RainbowTears*]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/killed-benefits-cuts-starving-soldier-3923771

 

 

David Clapson, 59, was stripped of the cash after missing an *appointment under harsh Coalition reforms.

 

A diabetic ex-soldier died starving and skint after officials axed his benefits.

 

But under the Coalition’s callous new benefits rules he had his £71.70 a week Jobseeker’s Allowance axed – merely because he missed an appointment with an adviser.

 

Stripped of his income, the 59-year-old could not afford food or electricity and died starving, *penniless and alone at his home.

 

His death was from diabetic *ketoacidosis – caused by not taking his insulin.

 

 

OMG!!! This is truly tragic!!

 

How many more people have to die in such tragic circumstances, before something is done?

 

It's very disturbing to read that David died in this way, esp in today's day & age.

 

As we can communicate around the world, we can cure most illnesses, we can travel in space, yet we couldn't save David, all because he missed an appointment!

 

My heart goes out to his family...

[Lapsed Workaholic]

There but for the grace of God go I, or you, or any of us.

 

As you sit opposite any one of those so called advisers the next time you attend a Jobcentre you will be looking into the face of a person who perpetuates this system and who has the potential and the power, by their ignorance and arrogance, over life and death.

 

Regrettably all too many of them tend to revel in, and gloat about, this state of affairs.

I will be taking a copy of that paper with me the next time I go to the Jobcentre and I will ask, “Doesn’t this bother you?” “What sort of people are you?”

 

Like many others I extend my sympathy and heartfelt commiserations to David’s family and friends. I did not know him personally, but as a man who voluntarily put his life on the line when duty called, his life touched us all. It is a sad reflection on the country that he served, helped protect and defend so honourably that it, not only ignored him when he needed help, but was instrumental in killing him.

Edited July 28, 2014 by honeybee13

[rebel11]

David had been sanctioned before, a similar situation, so the DWP knew he was vulnerable, nothing on the system to automatically cancel any sanctions. They did nothing, even a phone call to check he was o.k., job done DWP you saved some money but killed someone who put his life on the line by serving his country.

[sillygirl1]

This same sad news rag ran a story the other day about somebody who was on benefits going to sue the local council because their dog got hurt when chasing a cat through long grass, they reasoned that the local council was at fault for the dog's injury because they had not cut the grass.

 

Perhaps, by the same reasoning the person who sanctioned him should be 'sanctioned' themselves, be stripped of their income for the next 3 months and denied any other help... or, based on the flawed logic stated in the first paragraph, be sued by the poor man's family for indirect manslaughter.

 

Disgraceful Duncan-Smith needs to have a reality check, but sadly he probably has money saved and stored away for when his 'rainy day' comes and he is out of government.

[sadone]

This incident is just one of many such examples sadly....

 

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/27/tory-party-declares-war-on-british-servicemen-and-women/

[Lilly_Monroe]

What a dreadful story, a loss of life for missing an appointment, that poor poor man.

[rebel11]

There is a very, very long list, we only get to hear about the ones that have been publicised.

 

This incident is just one of many such examples sadly....

 

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/07/27/tory-party-declares-war-on-british-servicemen-and-women/

[citizenB]

Very sad indeed.

[citizenB]

The sanction was out of order - but why was this man not receiving help from one of the many of the Armed forces charities ?

[lenny100]

the Armed forces charities are out of their depth when it comes to welfare reforms, as most local volaters are not trained in the in and outds of the system, and the people who are specialets are totaly swamped by cases. I know this because i needed help from one and untill i got onto the national team, the advices was at best ot of date from the well meaning local team

[rebel11]

I suspect it becomes difficult, he entered civilian life working for BT, then did some other jobs and maybe became disconnected to some extent.

[essexmat]

More blood on IDS hands. I never wish ill on anyone but in IDS case I do, the man is not human, he is a parasite

[citizenB]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-28523058

 

Then you get news like this chap who has defrauded Help the Heroes of £300,000

Edited July 29, 2014 by citizenB
one too many zeroes !

[abc123def]

one too many noughts then CitB Sad though that is, it's a totally different story/thread/topic.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Do these people never think outside the box.

He was 59, living alone and a diabetic not exactly your average weekly appointment evader, what about applying some common sense, and judging each case on facr to face merit before cutting off anyone's life line.

 

Even his electric had ran out, so he could not even keep his medication chilled, it is disgusting how we are treating the sick and unemployed.

Makes you realise that we mean nothing to politicians, outside a tick in the box to vote them into power, once you have stopped earning and paying towards their wages, you are of nothing else.

[bcham]

but the gullible sheep who believe the media think we all have sky tv and are always on holiday.

[unclebulgaria67]

When governments introduce changes to their policies, they have a risk assessment done. In this assessment it will say that as a result of DWP changes, a certain number of people will die. I suspect that IDS and the DWP must have accepted the risk assessment, therefore they have direct responsibility for deaths like this.

 

At some point cases like this will end up in court, subject to a judicial review. Are you aware that this government is trying to make it much more difficult for people to seek a judicial review ? Chris Grayling as justice secretary is currently passing a bill through parliament that will make it more difficult for people to hold the government to account through the courts. It is currently in the House of Lords where it is facing a lot of opposition from all sides.

[rebel11]

The government want to do away with 'Human Rights' and move towards a 'Bill of Rights', that isn't a good thing, they then will not be accountable for many of their actions and decisions.

 

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/security-and-liberty/from-the-human-rights-act-to-a-bill-of-rights/

[unclebulgaria67]

In addition to this, the Tories also have indicated that they want to restrict peoples rights to FOI requests. Labour introduced FOI, but they have also raised concerns about the numbers of such requests, as it obviously means employing a lot of people to deal with them. But surely this is an essential element of a government being accountable to the public and therefore they have to meet the cost of dealing with FOI's ?

 

What is certain, is that if we are silly enough to elect a majority government, we will get an authoritarian government, who will seek to limit citizens rights. I am personally in favour of coalition governments, but hope that the Lib Dems and other smaller parties will learn from Cleggs mistake, which is that you don't have to get too close to the major party. The Lib Dems have allowed policies to be implemented that they would have fought against in opposition.

[rebel11]

The number of deaths mentioned since the benefit measures started could be between 10,000 - 15,000, but could be much higher.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/223050/incap_decd_recips_0712.pdf

[essexmat]

A few months back I would have said 'hung parliament' and another coalition but I think Cameron is starting to do all the pre-election stuff that stupid gullible people buy and he will get a majority. Put it this way, I am not happy with it but Milliband has no chance IMHO, far too weak and offers nothing

[Nystagmite]

The thread title is misleading - he was not killed by benefit cuts. He was left with no money. Why didn't he seek any help?