The story of David Clapson is well known, but for those who do not, David was a man who died after being sanctioned for missing a DWP appointment. David was claiming JobSeeker Allowance after leaving his army career for looking after her mother. Left without money, David could not pay for the electricity which powered the fridge in which he kept the insulin. Because David was diabetic. The reason for death was diabetic ketoacidosis, caused by a severe lack of insulin[i]. David died on the 20th of July 2013.
On the 29th of September 2015, (over 2 years after David’s death) a FOI request was sent to DWP asking whether the Department “if any new or updated guidance has been issued to Jobcentres by the DWP on sanctioning people with the medial condition diabetes”. To which DWP responded: “There is no guidance in existence which specifically covers sanctioning people with diabetes”. [ii]
Yesterday in the Salford online, an article was published about another diabetic JSA claimant, David , who was “illegally” and repeatedly sanctioned. By illegally, it has to be understood that there was no grounds to sanction David, but it was still sanctioned and left without money for 4 weeks. During this period, he was unable to control his diabetes, because he had no money for food. This caused diabetic ulcers which became infected and he had to have a leg amputated. All his sanctions were eventually overturned, but it was too late[iii].
We know that DWP has issued guidance for staff to deal with ‘vulnerable’ people. It is obvious this guidance is ineffective or that DWP staff don’t follow it. In any case, DWP is guilty. Guilty of David Clapson’s death, guilty of David being amputated, guilty of the misery inflicted on numerous other claimants whose names don’t make the headlines by their senseless, baseless, inhuman sanctions.
If you want to help David and others and bring a case against DWP, you can sign the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/social-security-magna-carta
If you have a bit of money to spare to fund the case, you can help with the crowdfunding here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alec-mcfadden?utm_id=2&utm_term=wqzVMRZ5g
If you want to follow Salford Unemployed & Community Resource Centre, who are supporting David and other sanctioned claimants, on Twitter, they are here: @SalfordUCRC
[i] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/09/david-clapson-benefit-sanctions-death-government-policies
[ii] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/293660/response/713334/attach/3/FOI%204046.pdf
[iii] https://salfordonline.com/31135-outrage-disabled-man-salford-benefits-sanction-camapign.html
That is truly appalling, have the Salford Online passed the story onto the Guardian, Independent, etc, this can’t go on.
My wifes pip is being taken away so now she will not be. Able to work. And the government. Whon. t help people in to work lies lies and msore lies they or trying to kill us all off. Nazi murdereds
Sanctions are barbaric and an abomination. Sanctions should play no part in the welfare system. Sanctions are KILLING human beings! And any person, politician or organisation who supports them in any way, shape or form is a pure and utter ****.
End sanctions now – without exception!
Sanctions are barbaric and an abomination. Sanctions should play no part in the welfare system. Sanctions are KILLING human beings! And any person, politician or organisation who supports them in any way, shape or form is a pure and utter ****.
End sanctions now – without exceptions!