The United Nations have launched an investigation into whether Iain Duncan Smith’s disability benefit changes have led to “grave or systemic violations” of disabled people’s human rights.
This comes after a report last month by the Just Fair coalition suggested that the UK had descended from being an international leader in disability rights to being in danger of becoming a “systematic violator of these same rights”.
The UN Inquiry and visit to UK was initiated by Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC).
This follows a release of statistics by the DWP, which revealed that during the period December 2011 and February 2014 2,380 people died after their claim for employment and support allowance (ESA) ended because a work capability assessment (WCA) found they were found fit for work.
Journalist Alastair Good interviewed Cathy Wood, whose brother Mark died weighing just 5st 8lbs, four months after being found ‘fit to work’ by the DWP – this article comes with a video which is very informative but can also be considered triggering, especially if you have been personally affected.
NSUN would like to offer condolences to Mark’s family, and to other people who have lost loved ones.