October 2018
Research shows that the sanctions system has a “significantly detrimental” effect on mental health.
What: Research by academics in partnership with disabled people’s organisation Inclusion London shows the government’s “perverse and punitive” ESA system has a “significantly detrimental” effect on claimants’ mental health. The report says the impact of sanctions has been “life-threatening” for some of those in the ESA work related activity group (WRAG). At the launch event, Andy Mitchell talks about how a sanction led him to try to take his own life and to ongoing mental distress and trauma.
Why significant: Further evidence of the life-threatening risk posed by the sanctions system and the ESA/WCA process.
Citations
Disabled People’s Experiences of the Employment and Support Allowance Work Related Activity Group,
They say jump, we say how high?” conditionality, sanctioning and incentivising disabled people into the UK labour market, Mehta, Taggart, Clifford & Speed
They say jump, we say how high?” conditionality, sanctioning and incentivising disabled people into the UK labour market, Mehta, Taggart, Clifford & Speed
Account of sanctions desperation leaves disabled peer in tears at WRAG research launch, Pring, 2018