Man starved to death after DWP cut his benefits
When his body was found by bailiffs, at his flat for falling into rent arrears, Errol Graham weighed just four and a half stone.
Suffering with severe social anxiety, he had not spoken to his family for some time and had no money for food.
All Errol, 57, had in the cupboards of his home in Radford, Nottingham, were a couple of out-of-date tins of fish.
Errol’s cause of death was found to be starvation after his benefits were cut in October 2017 when he failed to attend a fit-for-work test.
His body was found eight months later on June 20, 2018, when the debt collectors turned up to evict him.
Errol’s family have laid the blame at the door of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and are campaigning for justice as they say the DWP knew about his enduring mental distress.
Assistant coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock said the ‘safety net that should surround vulnerable people like Errol in our society had holes within it’.
She added: ‘He needed the DWP to obtain more evidence [from his GP] at the time his ESA was stopped, to make a more informed decision about him, particularly following the failed safeguarding visits.’
The DWP said they had made repeated attempts to contact Errol, who had not been to see his doctor since 2013.
However, Dr Didcock said: ‘There simply is not sufficient evidence as to how he was functioning, however, it is likely that his mental health was poor at this time – he does not appear to be having contact with other people, and he did not seek help from his GP or support agencies as he had done previously.’
Errol’s death was raised in parliament by Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams, who called for an independent inquiry.
Errol’s local MP, Lilian Greenwood, said: ‘I was absolutely shocked and horrified to hear that something like this could happen in our city in the 21st century.
‘Clearly the safety net systems in place have failed because people did not appreciate the situation he was in.
‘I completely agree with calls for an independent inquiry but the really appalling thing is this is not the first time this has happened. There is an urgent need to review the DWP processes.
‘Our thoughts are with Errol’s family and friends. This must be very difficult to deal with.
‘It shouldn’t have been allowed to happen. The system let them down and we must ensure lessons are learned.’
Alison Turner, the partner of Errol Graham’s son, put questions to the DWP at the inquest and has fought for justice for him over the last two years.
Turner, who is disabled herself, said: ‘It’s truly shocking what the system does to people.
‘I have lived in fear ever since wondering what the future holds for me, as a disabled person, and my child, who will also rely on the system for support as her autism, amongst other conditions, means she is unlikely to be able to live independently.
‘I truly fear that the failures that let my father-in-law down will one day fail me and my child.’
She added: ‘I don’t know how these people sleep at night. God forbid any of them should need the system one day.
‘I can only say I hope it serves them the same way it’s failed to serve the vulnerable.’
A spokeswoman for the DWP said: ‘This is a tragic, complex case and our sympathies are with Mr Graham’s family. ‘We take this very seriously and have referred this to our Serious Case Panel, which includes independent members to help scrutinise and establish any lessons.’
The serious case panel is a new process currently being established and will be chaired by a director and members will be senior civil servants from across the department.
All Errol, 57, had in the cupboards of his home in Radford, Nottingham, were a couple of out-of-date tins of fish.
Errol’s cause of death was found to be starvation after his benefits were cut in October 2017 when he failed to attend a fit-for-work test.
His body was found eight months later on June 20, 2018, when the debt collectors turned up to evict him.
Errol’s family have laid the blame at the door of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and are campaigning for justice as they say the DWP knew about his enduring mental distress.
Assistant coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock said the ‘safety net that should surround vulnerable people like Errol in our society had holes within it’.
She added: ‘He needed the DWP to obtain more evidence [from his GP] at the time his ESA was stopped, to make a more informed decision about him, particularly following the failed safeguarding visits.’
The DWP said they had made repeated attempts to contact Errol, who had not been to see his doctor since 2013.
However, Dr Didcock said: ‘There simply is not sufficient evidence as to how he was functioning, however, it is likely that his mental health was poor at this time – he does not appear to be having contact with other people, and he did not seek help from his GP or support agencies as he had done previously.’
Errol’s death was raised in parliament by Oldham MP Debbie Abrahams, who called for an independent inquiry.
Errol’s local MP, Lilian Greenwood, said: ‘I was absolutely shocked and horrified to hear that something like this could happen in our city in the 21st century.
‘Clearly the safety net systems in place have failed because people did not appreciate the situation he was in.
‘I completely agree with calls for an independent inquiry but the really appalling thing is this is not the first time this has happened. There is an urgent need to review the DWP processes.
‘Our thoughts are with Errol’s family and friends. This must be very difficult to deal with.
‘It shouldn’t have been allowed to happen. The system let them down and we must ensure lessons are learned.’
Alison Turner, the partner of Errol Graham’s son, put questions to the DWP at the inquest and has fought for justice for him over the last two years.
Turner, who is disabled herself, said: ‘It’s truly shocking what the system does to people.
‘I have lived in fear ever since wondering what the future holds for me, as a disabled person, and my child, who will also rely on the system for support as her autism, amongst other conditions, means she is unlikely to be able to live independently.
‘I truly fear that the failures that let my father-in-law down will one day fail me and my child.’
She added: ‘I don’t know how these people sleep at night. God forbid any of them should need the system one day.
‘I can only say I hope it serves them the same way it’s failed to serve the vulnerable.’
A spokeswoman for the DWP said: ‘This is a tragic, complex case and our sympathies are with Mr Graham’s family. ‘We take this very seriously and have referred this to our Serious Case Panel, which includes independent members to help scrutinise and establish any lessons.’
The serious case panel is a new process currently being established and will be chaired by a director and members will be senior civil servants from across the department.
