12 December 2014

DWP delays responding to freedom of information request on peer reviews into deaths of benefits claimants.

What: In responding to a freedom of information request from Disability News Service (DNS), seeking the 60 peer reviews it has already admitted carrying out, DWP suggests again that it could seek an exemption from its duty to release the recorded information it possesses. This is despite DNS only seeking the summaries, conclusions and recommendations of the 60 reviews, minus any information that would identify each claimant, and information on whether each of the recommendations were implemented.

Why significant: Shows DWP’s consistent lack of transparency around evidence linking the deaths of claimants with its policies and practices.