1976

The Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) Statement. Read More

28 October 1996

Child Poverty Acton Group (CPAG) writes to the Social Security Advisory Committee. Read More

December 1997

Child Poverty Action group raises concerns over removal of “significant risk” clause – finding that the Social Security Advisory Committee had been ‘misled’ by the DSS. Read More

23 December 1997

Disabled activists protest over welfare cuts outside Downing Street. Read More

21 December 1999

‘Permanent Health Insurance’ Westminster Hall debate by Clive Efford MP debated the increasing wrongful denial of PHI claims. Read More

March 2006

Dr Alison Ravetz criticises government’s New Deal for Welfare warning of incalculable stress for those forced into work and predicting future harms. Read More

2010

Formation of Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts (BARAC). Read More

Summer/Autumn 2010

Formation of Black Triangle Campaign to “galvanise opposition to the current vicious attack on the fundamental human rights of disabled people by the Government”, and in memory of Paul Reekie. Read More

Summer/Autumn 2010

Formation of The Mental Health Resistance Network set up “by people who live with mental distress in order to defend ourselves from the assault on us by a cruel government”. Read More

October 2010

Mad Pride protest against the coalition government’s “savage” welfare cuts. Read More

2011

Calum’s List website is created as a memorial page to remember “welfare reform deaths.” Read More

October 2011

Pat’s Petition, asking the DWP to stop changes to benefits, is submitted on the UK Government’s website. Read More

9 January 2012

Report finds government misled parliament over opposition to disability living allowance reform, and Spartacus Network is launched. Read More

28 January 2012

Disabled activists and allies stage direct action protest at the government’s welfare reform bill. Read More

23 March 2012

Disabled asylum seekers created a mural for their messages to be heard in the heart of Bristol. Read More

2 April 2012

Mind chief executive resigns from Work Capability Assessment (WCA) review scrutiny panel, arguing that the assessment process “isn’t working”. Read More

1 May 2012

Scottish GP tells Scottish parliament that the death of Paul Reekie was caused by the UK government’s welfare reforms. Read More

June 2012

Doctors vote to end the work capability assessment (WCA), thanks to lobbying from disabled activists. Read More

26 July 2012

High court grants permission for two disabled people (backed by the Mental Health Resistance Network) to bring a judicial review claim against the work and pensions secretary and related to the work capability assessment (WCA). Read More

August 2012

Disabled activists target Atos at London 2012 Paralympics, including delivering a coffin to Atos’s headquarters to represent those who have died after being found “fit to work”. Read More

November 2012

WOW Petition Campaign, created by disabled people and building on Pat’s Petition, calls for a cumulative impact assessment of welfare reforms. Read More

15 November 2012

The Spartacus Network publishes the People’s Review of the Work Capability Assessment, documenting links between being found “fit for work” and people’s deaths. Read More

22 November 2012

Iain Duncan Smith questioned over benefit-related deaths on BBC Question Time. Read More

17 January 2013

Commons debate on work capability assessment and Atos.   Read More

23 February 2013

Research by DPAC activist exposes how DWP under-estimated how many should be found not fit for work. Read More

April 2013

Thinktank Demos show that disabled people will be hit by up to 13 different cuts and risk losing a total of £28.3 billion in income support by 2018. Read More

16 May 2013

Former Atos assessor blows the whistle on unfair practices, saying the DWP is the “real culprit”. Read More

22 May 2013

Judgement on work capability assessment court case brought by the Mental Health Resistance Network. Read More

11 September 2013

“Shocking” bedroom tax should be axed, says UN investigator, who reported that the most vulnerable were being affected, with some talking about suicide. Read More

28 September 2013

10,000 Cuts and Counting event in Parliament Square to remember the thousands of disabled people who have died shortly after a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Read More

11 October 2013

DPAC co-founders persuade the UN disability committee to carry out an investigation into the UK under the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Read More

5 November 2013

The UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights condemns “intrusive” Work Capability Assessment and the demonization of poor people as undeserving. Read More

December 2013

The Spartacus Network leads the Second People’s Review of the Work Capability Assessment, including accounts of deaths linked to being found fit for work.  Read More

2014

Formation of Sisters of Frida – disabled women’s collective.  Read More

19 February 2014

Activists deliver letter to British Medical Association about its members’ opposition to the work capability assessment. Read More

27 February 2014

War on Welfare (WOW) petition secures debate in House of Commons. Read More

July 2014

Launch of New Approach campaign and release of work capability assessment report – finding the process “abusive” and “inhumane”. Read More

7 July 2014

Labour peer highlights “devastating” impact of legal aid changes, which remove access to justice for the poorest and most vulnerable. Read More

22 August 2014

DWP questioned about what records they keep of deaths linked to the benefits system. Read More

30 September 2014

Welfare rights expert and campaigner Nick Dilworth tells newspaper about the “toxic” Work Capability Assessment, and links to deaths. Read More

Early October 2014

Liberal Democrat DWP minister contradicts his Tory colleague over records kept on deaths linked to benefits. Read More

13 October 2014

First freedom of information request into DWP reviews into deaths of benefit claimants. Read More

10 November 2014

DWP questioned over how many coroner’s letters about benefits-related deaths it has received in the past 10 years. Read More

2 March 2015

Channel 4 reports that most peer reviews included recommendations for improvements. Read More

2 March 2015

Maximus takes over from Atos as provider of work capability assessments, sparking protests. Read More

March 2015

Psychologists Against Austerity say austerity policies are causing mental health problems. Read More

16 April 2015

Changes to incapacity benefits described “as the biggest single social policy failure of the last 15 years”. Read More

30 April 2015

Black Triangle film listing people whose deaths are linked to the welfare system.  Read More

2 June 2015

Freedom of information request reveals that 22 of the 49 peer reviews into deaths of claimants involved someone claiming employment and support allowance (ESA).  Read More

26 June 2015

DWP says coroners’ letters expressing concern about the deaths of benefit claimants are not handled by a specific official, revealing no centralised process for accountability. Read More

20 July 2015

John McDonnell voices strong opposition to welfare reform and work bill Read More

18 September 2015

First coroner’s report to link work capability assessment (WCA) with the death of a person claiming benefits – Michael O’Sullivan. Read More

14 October 2015

Mother of Mark Wood (who died after being found ineligible for employment and support allowance (ESA)) gives evidence to UN committee. Read More

15 October 2015

Disability News Service appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal over the information commissioner’s decision to reject its peer review complaint (allowing reviews to remain unpublished). Read More

21 October 2015

Prime minister David Cameron is asked about the death of Michael O’Sullivan. Read More

28 October 2015

David Cameron asked about peer reviews into deaths of people claiming benefits. Read More

11 December 2015

Mental health experts describe how “ruthless” DWP forced through Work Capability Assessments despite knowing of harm. Read More

20 January 2016

Coroner publishes prevention of future deaths (PFD) report into death of Sophie/Faiza (see 7 November 2014), calling for DWP to take action to prevent further deaths. Read More

3 March 2016

Information Rights Tribunal hears Disability news Service case against the information commissioner over its finding that DWP did not need to release peer reviews into the deaths of benefit claimants. Read More

23 March 2016

Disabled activists ask Scottish police to investigate ministers over work capability assessment (WCA) deaths. Read More

April 2016

Capita faces fresh calls to be stripped of personal independence payment (PIP) contracts after release of Channel 4 undercover footage.  Read More

18 May 2016

Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Deidre Brock backs calls to prosecute Iain Duncan Smith and Chris Grayling for their failure to make the work capability assessment (WCA) safe. Read More

19 May 2016

John McDonnell supports calls to prosecute Iain Duncan Smith. Read More

22 May 2016

The film “I, Daniel Blake” (about the unfairness of the work capability assessment) wins the Cannes Palme d’Or. Read More

June 2016

Recovery in The Bin runs Benefits Defence workshops – upskilling disabled people to defend themselves from the welfare system. Read More

13 September 2016

Freedom of information battle with DWP finds Maximus memo on suicide guidance and medical evidence was sent a few days after the existence of the Michael O’Sullivan prevention of future deaths report was first revealed. Read More

November 2016

Disabled activists declare war on Mind after links exposed to DWP. Read More

30 November 2016

Psychotherapy organisations express concern about the impact of sanctions on mental health. Read More

12 January 2017

The death of Lawrence Bond, hours after visiting jobcentre. Read More

February 2017

Green party sends dossier of 50 deaths of benefit claimants to DWP, calling for an inquiry. Read More

14 March 2017

DPAC and Inclusion London respond to the UN report, raising the connection between benefit changes, people’s deaths and Government failures. Read More

3 August 2017

Disability News Service investigates allegations of professionals’ dishonesty in benefits assessments outsourced to Capita and Atos. Read More

31 August 2017

UN demands UK government provide an annual UK progress report on correcting “grave and systematic violations”. Read More

10 November 2017

WinVisible submits evidence to the Commons work and pensions select committee about how assessment regime causes disabled women “terrifying insecurity”, including links to deaths, including suicides.  Read More

December 2017

Mental health charity Rethink publishes report on how the work capability assessment (WCA) discriminates against people with mental illness. Read More

16 April 2018

Pensions secretary Esther McVey heckled over death of Jodey Whiting. Read More

19 July 2018

Four opposition parties demand DWP answers over work capability assessment deaths “cover-up”. Read More

September 2018

Production of A Very Queer Nazi Faust by disabled artist Vince Laws, highlights deaths linked to disability benefits cuts. Read More

27 September 2018

Joy Dove, Jodey Whiting’s mother, vows to fight on for Justice for Jodey. Read More

October 2018

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

25 October 2018

Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) submit report to UN, finding government failings in upholding the rights of disabled people. Read More

6 November 2018

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

16 November 2018

UN rapporteur says government has ‘inflicted great misery’ on disabled people. Read More

19 December 2018

Second backbench WOW campaign debate hears of “hostile” and “dehumanising” benefits assessment system. Read More

21 February 2019

DWP failed five times to follow safeguarding rules before Jodey Whiting’s suicide. Read More

13 March 2019

Prime minister Theresa May questioned about the death of Jodey Whiting. Read More

15 March 2019

Six families back petition to MPs calling for inquiry into DWP benefit deaths. Read More

8 April 2019

DWP responds to Justice for Jodey Whiting petition, saying it has “no plans” to hold an independent inquiry into deaths linked to its actions. Read More

May 2019

DPAC report on severe impact of universal credit, including links to suicide. Read More

6 June 2019

MP Debbie Abrahams asks the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate why evidence about deaths linked to the work capability assessment (WCA) was withheld from independent reviews. Read More

4 July 2019

Minister questioned over failure to pass evidence about deaths linked to the work capability assessment (WCA) to independent reviewer. Read More

22 July 2019

Mother of Jodey Whiting takes part in protest about benefits-related deaths outside DWP with Dolly Sen. Read More

September to November 2019

Art and Protest exhibition includes works about benefit cuts and deaths. Read More

22 September 2019

Mother of Jodey Whiting receives standing ovation at Labour fringe event. Read More

24 October 2019

Police admit officers have no guidance about passing on information about protesters to DWP (after two police forces admitted passing information and video footage to DWP about disabled people taking part in protests). Read More

14 November 2019

Statistics show most disability benefit fraud allegations are false. Read More

2 December 2019

Disability News Service publishes five-year investigation into deaths linked to the work capability assessment (WCA). Read More

27 January 2020

The deaths of Jodey Whiting and Errol Graham mentioned in the Commons. Read More

5 February 2020

Prime minister Boris Johnson questioned about death of Errol Graham. Read More

24 February 2020

MP reads list of 24 people whose deaths are linked to DWP policy, in Parliament.   Read More

16 July 2020

Family or Errol Graham win right to court challenge on DWP safeguarding. Read More

23 September 2020

Dolly Sen “sections” DWP for being “a danger to benefit claimants” – driving many claimants to their deaths. Read More

11 November 2020

The family of Jodey Whiting are granted permission to ask the high court to order a second inquest into Jodey’s death. Read More

14 January 2021

Disability News Service wins ground-breaking legal fight with DWP, over the draft internal process review that was drawn up by DWP following the death of Philippa Day. Read More

2021

Release of The Right to Record – artwork and political campaign on recording personal independence payment (PIP) assessments.  Read More

May 2021

Publication of The Brown Envelope Book, evidencing the brutal welfare system from those with lived experience. Read More

22 and 23 June 2021

High court hears bid for second inquest into death of Jodey Whiting. Read More

July 2021

Bereaved families write to the work and pensions secretary to demand a public inquiry into benefits-related deaths. Read More

17 September 2021

Judges reject attempt by Joy Dove, the mother of Jodey Whiting, to secure a second inquest into her daughter’s death, saying that individual mistakes, not systemic failings, led to death.  Read More

7 October 2021

Mother of Jodey Whiting fights on for justice with appeal against a court’s ruling that there should not be a second inquest into her daughter’s death. Read More

8 October 2021

Bereaved families meet at launch of benefit deaths digital exhibition The Museum of Austerity. Read More

4 November 2021

Jodey Whiting legal fight continues with fresh request for permission to appeal against a high court ruling that there was no need for a second inquest. Read More

10 December 2021

Mural created by Deaf, Disabled and Asylum seeking people.  Read More

17 December 2021

Channel 4’s Dispatches exposes links between DWP and the deaths of claimants Read More

February 2022

Disabled activists ask human rights watchdog why it is failing to act over DWP deaths. Read More

1 February 2022

Minister ignores calls from MPs for inquiry into benefit deaths. Read More

8 March 2022

Shadow minister says he wants an inquiry into DWP deaths if Labour wins power. Read More

8 March 2022

Three disabled women make parliamentary call for action on DWP deaths. Read More

28 April 2022

Trio of disabled women say watchdog has failed them on benefit deaths. Read More

19 May 2022

Government brands Disability News Service ‘vexatious’ for trying to obtain information on 90 DWP deaths. Read More

4 July 2022

Nine years on, family of Michael O’Sullivan win tribunal battle. Read More

4 July 2022

Deaths by Welfare timeline public consultation begins.  Read More

6 September 2023

MPs refuse to question minister over Deaths by Welfare timeline. Read More