The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has launched an inquiry into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the inhumane treatment of benefits claimants. The investigation will focus on two main areas: the health checks that assess individuals' eligibility for disability benefits and the 'fit for work' tests. The EHRC will examine whether DWP ministers acted unlawfully by failing to protect claimants with learning disabilities or severe mental illness. The scope of the inquiry will mainly cover the period from January 2021 to the present [45c91f67].
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams has welcomed the investigation and highlighted the tragic deaths of vulnerable welfare claimants. Disability charity Scope and mental health charity Mind have also expressed concern over the treatment of disabled people and those with mental health problems by the DWP [45c91f67].
This inquiry comes in response to ongoing concerns raised in 2021, including cases related to the deaths of claimants. The DWP has not yet commented on the investigation [1b9b906f] [04cc1396].
In a separate development, the court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has instructed the department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to find ways to detect fake disability certificates [43001561]. The court recommended that the department collaborate with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the state governments to take proactive steps, including filing criminal cases, to prevent the issuance and possession of fake certificates. The department was also instructed to communicate with all states to refrain from requesting unnecessary documents from applicants [43001561].
This move by the court comes amid concerns of fake disability certificates and the need for stricter measures to prevent their misuse. The Federation of Disabled Rights has been advocating for the use of the Unique Disability Identity (UDID) portal to prevent the issuance of duplicate certificates [43001561].
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been granted new powers to inspect claimants' bank accounts as part of its efforts to tackle fraud, debt, and errors in the benefits system. Under these new powers, the DWP will be able to scrutinize claimants' bank accounts for excessive savings and residency abroad. However, the DWP clarified that it will not have direct access to bank accounts or be able to view spending habits. Instead, it will receive data from third parties, such as banks, to identify wrongful benefit payments. The DWP assured that identified cases will be subject to standard investigation procedures, and penalties will not be automatically applied. Campaign groups have expressed concern over these measures, arguing that means-tested benefit claimants are being treated as 'criminal by default' [6c6fc035].
The DWP's new policy of checking benefit claimants' bank accounts will focus on two main areas: excessive savings and residency abroad. The checks will be conducted under the 'Third Party Data Gathering' initiative, which requires banks to provide relevant data to the DWP. The aim is to detect improper benefit payments without granting access to individuals' bank accounts or scrutinizing personal spending habits. The DWP clarified that the new policy will only provide 'limited and relevant' information to identify potential fraud, debt, and error. The measures are targeted at areas where fraud and error are most prevalent, such as Universal Credit, and will not allow direct access to bank accounts [1fa9e5fc].
Bristol parliamentary candidates struggled with tough questions around improving policies, benefits, and access for disabled people at a hustings event. The event featured divisive comments from Reform's candidate, Robert Clarke, who made unfounded claims about vaccinations. Other candidates, including Rose Hulse (Conservative), Jai Breitnauer (Green), and Tony Sutcliffe (Liberal Democrat), attended in place of their party's candidates. Topics discussed included independent living, accessible housing, human rights, and UN recommendations on disability rights. The candidates expressed various positions on these issues, with the Greens proposing a 'wealth tax' to fund adult social care, Labour focusing on independent living, and the Conservatives supporting enshrining the UN's recommendations in law. Housing and benefits for disabled people were also discussed. The event was organized by Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living (BRIL) and West of England Centre for Independent Living (WECIL) [f884709b].