Work and Pensions committee calls for independent investigation into benefit sanctions

The select committee has called on the DWP to make hardship payments available from the first day of a sanction - instead of the 15 days claimants are forced to wait.

By Ashley Cowburn

(Photo By David Clapson died two weeks after his benefits were suspended. Photo: Gil Thompson)

The grieving relative of David Clapson – a man found dead in his flat from diabetic ketoacidosis, two weeks after his benefits were suspended – has welcomed the recommendations from the Work and Pensions select committee into benefit sanctions, published today.

In the report the cross-party committee of MPs have called for an “urgent”, full review established by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), into benefit conditionality. It also adds, that a new independent body should be created – similar to the Independent Police Complaints Commission – that would investigate instances where failures of the DWP may have contributed to the death of a claimant. Reviews could be conducted at the request of a relative, or automatically where no living relative remains.