The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has finally refused to investigate benefits deaths this year after dragging its feet on making a decision on the matter for over a year.
The Disability News Service reports that Labour MP Debbie Abrahams first approached the EHRC in April 2019 to ask them to look into links between the DWP and deaths of benefits claimants.
Eight months ago the EHRC said it was reviewing what “potential” work it could undertake to tackle “discriminatory decision-making in the social security system” and would respond to Abrahams “in due course”.
Now, however, after again being approached by Abrahams, the EHRC has said it will not be able to carry out an inquiry into the DWP this year and blamed the pandemic for the further delay.
Abrahams has described the continued delay as shocking and said how surprised she is that more people are not calling for an investigation.
She said: “I find it hard to believe that a government department is behaving in such a way.
“There are not enough people who are clamouring for this to be investigated and dealt with.”
