23 January 2024 , 17:00
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More than a hundred suicide and self-harm incidents have been recorded at Jobcentres and other benefits providers since 2014, it can be revealed.
The worrying figures, uncovered through Freedom of Information requests, will reinforce fears over the effect of the Government’s punitive welfare policies, such as disability tests and sanctions.
The data, covering England, Scotland and Wales, was provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the government department responsible for running the benefits system. It shows the number of so-called “fast track” incidents that must be reported to the DWP, which then carries out an investigation.
One of the categories of fast track incident is “Suicide/Self harm incident”. Since 2014 there have been at least 104 suicide or self-harm incidents reported by jobcentres and other DWP providers – with 94 occurring between 2014 and 2020, between one and four in 2020/21, and at least another ten since then. The figures since 2021 do not cover the whole period, and as a result will be an undercount.
The highest number of suicide and self-harm incidents was in 2019/20, when 21 were recorded. The following year saw the height of the Covid pandemic, with jobcentre meetings and disability benefit tests suspended and sanctions – where people’s benefits are docked for often minor infringements of the rules or being late for jobcentre meetings – briefly fell to almost zero.
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The figures will add to concerns over the mental health impact of how the Tories are running the benefit system, with sanctions now having shot back up and a lack of provision for people with mental health issues.
Welfare rights campaigner Andy Mitchell said: “For people in a conditionality group it is the constant threat of losing your benefits that creates the anxiety. Iain Duncan Smith said he wanted Universal Credit to operate in the same way as a job, but for claimants the pressure you feel never stops. Work coaches [at job centres] expect you to look for work every day, and the longer it takes the bigger toll it has on your health. At least, it did for me. Anxiety and stress builds up and that impacts physical health.
“In one of the meetings I had with the work coach I made the mistake of saying I try to set aside weekends for family and friends and to switch off. She told me that I was a claimant, that we did not have holidays and that I should be looking for work for five hours a day, seven days a week.”
He said that women who have suffered domestic abuse regularly report that going to meet their work coach can make them relive those experiences because of the attitude and control they have over their lives. Work coaches regularly warn them that they can stop their benefit payments if they don’t do what they are told.
“It is a constant grind which quickly has an impact on mental health,” said Mr Mitchell, who’d worked for 20 years before claiming benefits. “When I was sanctioned over Christmas [in 2013] I had a breakdown as I had no money, no electricity and no one to speak to. I had no phone credit to call my family and I felt totally isolated. I've gone through years of counselling as a result and my physical health plummeted.”
In one tragic case recently reported by Disability News Service, an “overwhelmed” disabled benefit claimant tried to take his own life by poisoning himself at a jobcentre, only to then be charged with possessing a chemical weapon in relation to the attempt.
Ayla Ozmen, Director of Policy and Campaigns at anti-poverty charity Z2K, said: "These figures are extremely worrying and should lead to a review of the threadbare and punitive benefit system. Unfortunately, however, our fear is that these figures will escalate as a result of upcoming reforms to the system. Government plans from next year will mean over one hundred thousand people with mental health conditions that put them or those around them at substantial risk of harm will miss out on support and will be at risk of being sanctioned if they don't engage with the jobcentre.
“At the moment we can't see how it will be possible to go ahead with these plans without significantly increasing risk."
A DWP spokesman said: “We will always prioritise protecting and safeguarding the most vulnerable, including those who are at serious risk of suicide or self-harm. We are committed to ensuring our welfare system encourages and supports people into work, while providing a vital safety net for those who need it most.”
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
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