The Justice for Jodey Whiting petition calling for an independent inquiry into DWP linked deaths has already amassed over 10,000 signatures since its launch on 15 March.
Jodey Whiting took her own life after her benefits were stopped because she missed a work capability assessment.
Jodie had a long history of mental distress and the DWP failed to follow its own safeguarding rules on five occasions in the weeks leading up to her death.
Disability News Service reports that the petition has the support of seven families who lost relatives in circumstances involving the DWP.
These include the mother of Mark Wood, whose son starved to death after his benefits were stopped and the father of David Barr, who took his own life after a physiotherapist took just 35 minutes to assess him as fit for work without any attempt being made to get medical evidence from his psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse or GP.
The petition is calling for:
1. An independent inquiry to investigate DWP failings in relation to these deaths, including whether there has been misconduct by civil servants or Ministers.
2. Any evidence of misconduct contributing to serious harm or deaths to be turned over to the police.
3. Recognition that DWP is institutionally disablist and not fit for purpose.
4. DWP to urgently change its policies and administration of social security benefits to make the safety of all claimants a priority.
You can since the Justice for Jodey Whiting petition here.
