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Channel 4
7 hours ago
- Business
- Channel 4
Mother fears benefit cuts will lead to more deaths like her daughter's
Words by Jamie Roberton. The mother of a woman who died after her benefits were incorrectly stopped has told Channel 4 News that she fears there will be more deaths like her daughter's because of imminent benefits cuts . Jodey Whiting, of Stockton-on-Tees, was housebound with chronic physical pain and mental health problems before she took her own life in 2017, just two weeks after her Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was denied because she was deemed fit to work. A senior coroner concluded on Monday that the wrongful withdrawal of the 42-year-old's benefits was 'the trigger' to her taking her own life, highlighting five missed opportunities by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to recognise her vulnerabilities and reverse the decision. It was the second inquest into the mother of nine's death, with the first lasting just 37 minutes and making no reference to the actions of the DWP. Joy Dove – who fought for eight years for the role of the DWP to be scrutinised – said the department's actions towards her daughter had been 'brutal', but feared lessons had still not been learned. The government has outlined plans to cut the welfare bill in the aim of saving £5 billion a year by 2030. 'More people have died in the eight years since Jodey and with these cuts coming, wanting to take more money off people, it is going to be terrible – it is going to be worse and worse,' Ms Dove said. 'I can just see more Jodeys because people won't cope.' A DWP representative told the inquest that the department was 'deeply regretful' over the failings in Ms Whiting's case, pledging that 'a culture shift from being process driven to being much more compassionate' was underway. 'I can just see more Jodeys because people won't cope.' – Joy Dove Ms Whiting had suffered with chronic pain for years, with curvature of the spine and a later diagnosis of a brain cyst. A spell in hospital with pneumonia in December 2016 meant that Ms Whiting missed a letter about her benefits, informing her that she would need to be medically assessed. In January 2017, she was told that she had missed the appointment and was therefore judged fit to work. She was also due to lose her housing and council tax benefits. Ms Dove said her daughter was 'shaking, crying' at the news, becoming increasingly distressed despite her mother's attempts to help. Ms Dove discovered her daughter's body on 21 February 2017, later describing how she 'just started screaming and fell back.' Extracts from notes found in Ms Whiting's flat described her panic at not being able to pay her bills and having no food, with one note saying: 'debt, debt, debt.' Another read: 'I have had enough.' An Independent Case Examiner (ICE) report, published in 2019, had already identified a number of serious failings in the DWP's handling of Ms Whiting's case, even finding the department had repeatedly tried to contact her after her death. 'They wrote a letter saying she was fit to work – and she was in the undertakers.' – Joy Dove The report identified multiple missed opportunities, including: a failure to contact Ms Whiting's GP as she had requested; a failure to contact Ms Whiting to arrange a safeguarding visit after she missed her appointment; and a refusal to consider her request for a medical assessment to be carried out at her home. 'They decided that she was fit to work but all the evidence was there,' Ms Dove said. 'They didn't bother to phone, they didn't bother to go to the door, go to the doctors. It was just like, 'tick them off, tick them off'.' 'It was so brutal.' Claire Bailey, the senior coroner for Teeside, concluded that Ms Whiting's death was suicide 'in the context of a deteriorating mental state, precipitated by the withdrawal of state benefits.' She also cited evidence from a psychiatrist who said Ms Whiting's loss of benefits was 'the straw that broke the camel's back.' Ms Whiting's inquest conclusion came just weeks after a group of MPs demanded 'deep-rooted cultural change' at the DWP following a spate of tragedies. The Work and Pensions Committee found there had been at least 240 internal reviews since 2020 where there had been an allegation that the DWP may have contributed to death or harm, although the actual figure was likely to be 'much higher.' Coroners were also found to have issued 9 Future Prevention of Death reports to the DWP since 2013. Debbie Abrahams MP, the Labour chair of the committee, described the findings as 'unacceptable' saying DWP culture had been 'geared to getting people into work, sometimes by means that are completely inappropriate.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently described the benefits system as 'the worst of all worlds' and the number of people out of work or training as 'indefensible and unfair.' Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has defended the planned £5 billion in cuts amid deep misgivings from Labour backbenchers, arguing the savings were necessary to prevent the welfare system's collapse. Merry Varney, senior partner at Leigh Day who represented Ms Dove, told Channel 4 News: 'There probably still is some culture at the DWP of not wanting to accept that these decisions can cause such serious harm and death. 'They have been very reluctant to allow open, transparent investigations and show that they're willing to learn from the mistakes that have been made and lives have been lost because of it.' – Merry Varney Ms Dove said she hoped the coroner's conclusion after her eight-year battle meant Jodey's 'death had not been in vain.' Paying tribute to her daughter, Ms Dove said: 'She was just brilliant. She bought me birthday cards and Mother's Day cards. They were all beautiful with verses, telling me how much she loved me.' 'She was so lovely.' A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: 'We continue to offer our sincerest condolences to Jodey Whiting's family. 'We will consider the coroner's full findings and use them to build further on the improvements the department has already made to protect and support vulnerable claimants.' DWP requires 'deep-rooted cultural change to stop more benefits deaths' Govt unveils crackdown on disability benefits in bid to save £5 bn Starmer under fire over cuts to welfare benefits
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mum of 9 took own life after benefits wrongly stopped, inquest rules
A campaigning mum has triumphed in an eight-year battle for justice, following an inquest's ruling that her daughter's suicide was linked to a benefits cut. Joy Dove steadfastly refused to accept the death of her daughter Jodey Whiting, 42, without exposing the true cause. She achieved vindication when a coroner concluded that the mental health of the mother-of-nine worsened after her benefits were wrongly terminated by the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK, leading her to 'lose hope' and tragically take her own life, leaving behind notes for her family. Throughout her ordeal, Joy, 71, received unwavering support from the Mirror and 'Real Britain' columnist Ros Wynn-Jones, who have been vocal advocates for Jodey's cause. Teesside's Senior Coroner Clare Bailey delivered a verdict of suicide, attributing it to a "deteriorating mental state" triggered by the benefits decision. She commended the family's relentless pursuit of justice, highlighting their "perseverance, resilience and dignity." Following the verdict, Joy, from Norton on Teesside, expressed: "I have always believed that Jodey took her life due to failings by the DWP. The coroner has confirmed that mistakes made by the DWP in the way they handled Jodey's case caused her death," reports the Mirror. She continued, reflecting on the arduous journey: "It should not have taken an eight-year fight for justice to get where we are today. It has been an uphill battle trying to get answers and accountability, but I would never give up. I was determined to keep fighting for justice for Jodey. "This did not just happen to Jodey, it has happened to many others. Jodey's death was not a one-off failing by the DWP, the way they have treated some of their most vulnerable claimants is absolutely disgraceful." The family's barrister, Merry Varney from Leigh Day, highlighted the critical role of comprehensive inquests declared by the coroner as a means to examine the cause of death thoroughly. Without such inquests, the "dangerous and sometimes deadly way" that the DWP treats individuals who are too unwell to work due to illness or disability would "will remain covered up and unchecked," she warned. Jodey tragically passed away on February 21, 2017, merely 15 days after her Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was revoked following a ruling that she was 'fit to work'. The DWP expressed its deep regret over the incident at the inquest, which divulged that the mother of nine and grandmother to six "had lost hope" when she died. During the proceedings at Teesside Coroner's Court, it emerged that towards the end of 2016, Jodey had missed a welfare assessment due to being hospitalised with pneumonia. While receiving treatment, doctors also found a brain cyst. Upon her discharge, unread correspondence from the DWP inquiring about her non-attendance at a medical examination was discovered in her flat. Another notification showed up four weeks later, on February 6, 2017, categorically stating she was "fit to work". From then on, Jodey's struggle to cope intensified; she found herself in a state of shock, distress, and desperation, as detailed at the inquest. Jodey faced severe mental and physical health challenges, including bipolar disorder and a curved spine. Her mother Joy called for a second inquest following the initial one, which concluded in just 37 minutes and determined that Jodey had taken her own life. The second inquest was secured after Joy took her fight to the Court of Appeal. In court, excerpts from notes discovered with prescription medication in her flat were shared. Bridget Dolan KC, representing the coroner, relayed: "She wrote about not being able to pay her bills and having no food. In some she wrote about feeling breathless and trying to pay her bills and being in debt." Another note simply read: "I have had enough." Jodey's mother told the inquest: "Her death really impacted on me, and to learn of the number of failures by the DWP was a further deep shock that I have not recovered from." Her father, Eric Whiting, paid tribute by saying Jodey was akin to the "Pied Piper" with children who adored her, noting: "She always saw the fun side of life until her health issues started." In the latter part of her life, Jodey became increasingly confined to her home. She was hospitalised in December 2016 due to pneumonia, which caused her to miss an important letter regarding her benefits that stated she needed a medical assessment. Joy comforted her daughter with assurances of support, telling the inquest: "I said, don't you worry, we will explain how you have been in hospital and you are still convalescing." However, by January 2017, Jodey received notice that she had missed a medical assessment and was subsequently deemed fit for work. This decision meant that Jodey would lose not only her Employment and Support Allowance but also her housing and council tax benefits. Joy recounted that when she visited her daughter two days before her tragic death, Jodey was visibly distressed, "shaking and crying", and had expressed suicidal thoughts. Joy firmly believed that the anxiety over losing her benefits was what drove her daughter to contemplate suicide. "I know my daughter and I know it was that," she insisted. "It was the fact she couldn't find a job, the worry of paying bills and being pushed out after being so vulnerable all those years." Helga Swidenbank, an executive at the DWP responsible for disability services, admitted that the department should have acknowledged Jodey's "good cause" for missing the health assessment, considering her physical and mental health issues. She expressed regret, saying: "I was not in post at the time but those who I have spoken to are deeply regretful and sorry about what happened. There were a number of opportunities to have picked up concerns about Jodey and we are very sorry about that." Swidenbank acknowledged that while there is now a greater emphasis on recognising claimants' vulnerabilities, this change is still ongoing. She noted: "I understand that there is a culture shift to being much more compassionate. We are not there yet, we still have more work to do." According to psychiatrist Dr Trevor Turner, the removal of her benefits was the pivotal moment that pushed Jodey over the edge. Ms Bailey concurred, stating: "Dr Turner says, and I accept, that withdrawal of her benefits would have had an acute and pervasive effect on Jodey's mental state given her vulnerability and her emotional instability." The coroner further elaborated: "Her actions were in the context of her benefits having been wrongly withdrawn by the DWP in circumstances where there had been five missed opportunities to avoid the significant errors. This had the effect of negatively impacting upon her mental health, and was the trigger to her taking a fatal overdose."
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
DWP to end six benefits by 2026: What Claimants Need to Know
People on certain benefits are being encouraged to take action if they want to keep receiving payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is continuing with the phasing out of older benefits for millions this year. A few years ago, the DWP started transitioning individuals on specific benefits, known as legacy benefits, over to universal credit, which was launched in 2013. This process, known as managed migration, has been gradually implemented over several years, with individuals being informed that they would be transitioned and, in some cases, would need to make a universal credit claim, reports WalesOnline. Full-scale managed migration began in April 2023, extending to different regions of Great Britain. The six legacy benefits being phased out include: Child and working tax credit Income-based jobseeker's allowance Income support Income-related employment Support allowance Housing benefit Tax credit is the first of 2025's legacy benefit closures. As per the DWP website, the benefit will cease in April 2025, meaning recipients must respond to their migration notices to continue receiving benefits. Those affected have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply for universal credit. Moreover, the planned transition of approximately 800,000 recipients of income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) alone, or income-related ESA in conjunction with housing benefit, has been expedited. This had initially been postponed to 2028/29. The DWP commenced issuing migration notices to these claimants in September 2024, with the goal of notifying all individuals in this group by December 2025. The DWP intends to transfer all legacy benefit recipients to universal credit by March 2026, finalising the rollout and ceasing all legacy benefits by this date. Here is the full timeline of managed migration: April 2024: Migration notices were sent to households in receipt of Income Support, Income Support with Housing Benefit, and Tax Credits with Housing Benefit. June 2024: Migration notices were sent to households receiving Housing Benefit only. July 2024: Migration notices were sent to households in receipt of Employment Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits. August 2024: Tax Credit claimants who are over state pension age were invited to apply for either Universal Credit or Pension Credit. September 2024: Migration notices began to be sent to claimants of income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), and those on income related Employment Support Allowance (ESA) without Child Tax Credits. December 2025: The DWP aims to notify all claimants of income-related ESA only, or income-related ESA and Housing Benefit, by this date, a group previously scheduled for migration in 2028/29.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum-of-nine took own life when her benefits were wrongly cut off
Joy Dove was determined to fight for justice for her daughter Jodey Whiting, who took her own life aged 42 when she 'lost hope' after her mental health declined when her benefits were cut incorrectly A campaigning mum won an eight-year fight for justice today after an inquest ruled benefits cut had led to her daughter's tragic suicide. Joy Dove refused to let Jodey Whiting, 42, die without her true cause of death being revealed. She was vindicated as a coroner found that the mental health of the mum-of-nine deteriorated when her benefits were stopped incorrectly by the Dept of Work and Pensions. She had 'lost hope' which led to her taking her own life after leaving notes for her family. For years Joy, 71, was championed by the Mirror and 'Real Britain' columnist Ros Wynn-Jones, who called for justice for Jodey. Senior Coroner for Teesside Clare Bailey recorded a verdict of suicide due to a "deteriorating mental state" precipitated by the benefits decision She praised the family's determined campaign to bring about justice, describing their "perseverance, resilience and dignity." Afterwards Joy, of Norton on Teesside, said: "I have always believed that Jodey took her life due to failings by the DWP. The coroner has confirmed that mistakes made by the DWP in the way they handled Jodey's case caused her death. "It should not have taken an eight-year fight for justice to get where we are today. It has been an uphill battle trying to get answers and accountability, but I would never give up. I was determined to keep fighting for justice for Jodey. "This did not just happen to Jodey, it has happened to many others. Jodey's death was not a one-off failing by the DWP, the way they have treated some of their most vulnerable claimants is absolutely disgraceful." The family's solicitor Merry Varney, of Leigh Day, stressed the coroner had shown the importance of 'thorough inquests that properly investigate how a death occurred'. Without them, the "dangerous and sometimes deadly way" that those unable to work due to ill health or disability are treated by the DWP "will remain covered up and unchecked," she added. Jodey was found dead on Feb 21, 2017, 15 days after being denied Employment Support Allowance (ESA) because she had been deemed 'fit to work'. The DWP said it was "deeply regretful" after the inquest heard that the mum-of-nine, who had six grandchildren, "had lost hope" at the time of her death. Teesside Coroner's Court was told how in late 2016, Jodey missed a benefits assessment after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia. Doctors then discovered a cyst on her brain. After being discharged, a DWP letter was found in unopened mail at her flat asking why she had not attended a recent medical assessment. Another letter then arrived four weeks later, on Feb 6, 2017, telling her she was "fit to work". From that moment on, she struggled to cope and was 'shocked, distressed and desperate', the inquest heard. Jodey had serious mental and physical problems. She had bipolar disorder and curvature of the spine. Joy demanded a second inquest after the original lasted just 37 minutes and ruled she had taken her own life. The second inquest was granted after Joy went all the way to the Court of Appeal. Extracts from notes found alongside prescription drugs in her flat were read in court today. Bridget Dolan KC, coroner's counsel, said: "She wrote about not being able to pay her bills and having no food. In some she wrote about feeling breathless and trying to pay her bills and being in debt." Another note stated: "I have had enough." Her mum told the inquest: "Her death really impacted on me, and to learn of the number of failures by the DWP was a further deep shock that I have not recovered from." Her father Eric Whiting said in his tribute that Jodey was like the "Pied Piper" with children around her who adored her. He added: "She always saw the fun side of life until her health issues started." Jodey was increasingly housebound towards the end fof her life. She had a hospital stay in December 2016 after contracting pneumonia and that meant she missed a letter about her benefits, saying she needed to be medically assessed. Joy reassured her daughter that she would help, telling the inquest: "I said, don't you worry, we will explain how you have been in hospital and you are still convalescing." But in January 2017, Jodey was told she had missed a medical assessment and was judged to be fit to work. As well as losing her Employment and Support Allowance, she would also lose housing and council tax benefits. Joy said when she saw her daughter, two days before her death, she was "shaking and crying" and had threatened to kill herself. She was sure that the stress of losing her benefits was the trigger for her to decide to kill herself. "I know my daughter and I know it was that," she added. "It was the fact she couldn't find a job, the worry of paying bills and being pushed out after being so vulnerable all those years." Helga Swidenbank, a DWP director for disability services, said they should have recognised that she had "good cause" not to attend a health assessment, given her illnesses and mental health concerns. She added: "I was not in post at the time but those who I have spoken to are deeply regretful and sorry about what happened. There were a number of opportunities to have picked up concerns about Jodey and we are very sorry about that." They were now more focused on people's vulnerabilities, although this remained a "work in progress". She added: "I understand that there is a culture shift to being much more compassionate. We are not there yet, we still have more work to do." Psychiatrist Dr Trevor Turner said losing her benefits was the "straw that broke the camel's back". Ms Bailey said: "Dr Turner says, and I accept, that withdrawal of her benefits would have had an acute and pervasive effect on Jodey's mental state given her vulnerability and her emotional instability." The coroner added: "Her actions were in the context of her benefits having been wrongly withdrawn by the DWP in circumstances where there had been five missed opportunities to avoid the significant errors. This had the effect of negatively impacting upon her mental health, and was the trigger to her taking a fatal overdose."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Inquest hears mum 'desperate' after benefits cut
A new inquest into the death of disabled mum of nine, who took her own life after her benefits were stopped, has heard she was ''shocked, distressed and desperate''. Jodey Whiting, from Stockton-on-Tees, who had numerous physical and mental health issues, was found dead in 2017, two weeks after being denied Employment Support Allowance (ESA) because she had been deemed fit to work. The 42-year-old's mother, Joy Dove, has spent years campaigning for a fresh hearing after the original lasted 37 minutes and did not include information from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Ms Dove, 71, said as a result of the DWP's decision, her daughter "lost hope". The inquest in Middlesbrough continues. In 2016, Ms Whiting missed a benefits assessment after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia, the inquest heard, which was followed by doctors finding a cyst on her brain. It was only after being finally discharged that a letter from the DWP was found among the unopened mail at her flat asking why she had not attended a recent medical assessment. A subsequent letter then arrived telling her she was "fit to work". Giving evidence at Teesside Coroner's Court, Ms Dove said she could see a change in her daughter from that moment on. She said: "Jodey said, 'I can't breathe, I can't walk, I can't walk out of the door. What am I going to do?' ''She lost hope, she worried she wouldn't be able to pay her bills and have nothing to live on." In the letters she left for her children following her death, Ms Whiting wrote: "I've had enough, I want peace." The coroner at the original inquest in May 2017 recorded a verdict of suicide. An Independent Case Examiner (ICE) concluded in 2019 there had been a number of serious failings in the DWP's handling of Ms Whiting's application. At the end of her evidence, Ms Dove said: ''It was the DWP that caused it. There's no way it was anything other." A representative from the DWP is due to give evidence at the inquest, which is expected to last three days. If you have been affected by any issues in this report, help and support is available on the BBC Action Line. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Wait almost over for mum who fought for inquest Second inquest opens into benefits-cut death HM Courts and Tribunals Service
