More than 80 people a month are dying after being declared fit for work

More than 80 people a month are dying after being declared “fit for work” according to official figures published today.

DWP statistics show that 2,380 people died between December 2011 and February 2014 shortly after a work capability assessment (WCA) found they were able to work.

The data, compiled in response to freedom of information requests, also revealed that between December 2011 and February 2014, 50,580 ESA claimants had died within 14 days of their claim ending.

Of this number, 2,380 - or 4% - had received a decision that they were fit for work,

Of the 50,580, 7,200 claimants had died after being awarded ESA and being placed in the work-related activity group.

Philip Connolly, Policy and Development Manager of Disability Rights UK said:

“It is not just the charities but the BMA and the RCN who have deplored this medical test for fitness for work. Now the evidence of the cruelty and stress involved in this test can be seen by everyone else too and not simply by the families of the dead. We need a completely new approach.

This time it must be one that starts by supporting those who want to work to exercise their right to work – with encouragement and evidence based support, not threats of poverty and inadequate programmes; and it must be one that disabled people, our representative organisations and health, social care and vocational rehabilitation professionals view as acceptable. It must be evidence based. It must link assessment of needs to support. It must be fair.”

For more information see the DWP’s Mortality statistics: Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance