Timeline – Deaths by Welfare Project

Sanctions Conservative Party Department for Work and Pensions

Employment minister says there is no formal policy to liaise with agencies after a sanction.

8 May 2015

Sanctions Disabled People Against Cuts

DWP admits that 10 of the 49 claimants whose deaths were examined by peer reviews had had their benefits sanctioned.

19 May 2015

Private Companies & Outsourcing

Sanctions Department for Work and Pensions

DWP raises issues with sanctions and safeguarding of vulnerable claimants by the companies delivering its Work Programme.

29 May 2015

Sanctions Luke Alexander LoyContent Warning: Death

The death of Luke Alexander Loy, three months after being found fit for work and sanctioned. His sister said “he died as a result of Tory cuts”.

August 2015

Sanctions Department for Work and Pensions Moira DruryContent Warning: Death

The death of Moira Drury, after the removal of her employment and support allowance (ESA).

29 August 2015

Private Companies & Outsourcing

Sanctions Alan McArdle Department for Work and PensionsContent Warning: Death

The death of Alan McArdle, an hour after being told that DWP was threatening to sanction him – stopping his employment and support allowance (ESA).

13 October 2015

Sanctions Conservative Party Priti Patel

Priti Patel denies causality between sanctions and suicides.

November 2015

Role of GP’s

Sanctions Paul DonnachieContent Warning: Suicide

The death of Paul Donnachie, after his employment and support allowance (ESA) is removed.

21 February 2017

Private Companies & Outsourcing

Sanctions Department for Work and Pensions Jodey WhitingContent Warning: Suicide

The death of Jodey Whiting, after being found fit for work, despite telling the DWP about her suicidal thoughts.

21 February 2017

Sanctions Department for Work and Pensions

Public accounts committee report urges DWP to review the use of sanctions.

August 2017

Sanctions Department for Work and Pensions

DWP data shows some groups are at substantially higher risk of experiencing a jobseekers allowance (JSA) sanction.

October 2017

Sanctions David Gauke Department for Work and Pensions

Work and pensions secretary David Gauke admits sanctions can harm claimants with mental health issues.

25 January 2018

Sanctions David Clapson Department for Work and Pensions

DWP decides not to trial softer sanctions regime, despite this being recommended by the Commons public accounts committee.

June 2018

Sanctions United Nations

Research published from five-year study into welfare conditionality, findings include link between sanctions and deaths, including suicide.

Activism, Campaigning and Resistance

October 2018

Sanctions Inclusion London

Research shows that the sanctions system has a “significantly detrimental” effect on mental health.

Activism, Campaigning and Resistance

6 November 2018

Sanctions Conservative Party Department for Work and Pensions Work and pensions committee

Commons work and pensions committee calls for an end to sanctioning disabled people.