Content warning: Suicide, traumatic death and severe mental distress
In the early 2010s, reports began to emerge of deaths linked to a government department. Suicide notes, coroners’ reports, and research by disabled activists pointed to failings within the Department for Work and Pensions – the DWP – the government body responsible for the disability benefits system.
As years passed, and austerity tightened its grip, the death toll mounted, and an even more disturbing picture emerged: bureaucracy, politicians, and the private sector had combined over thirty years to reckless, deadly effect.
For the last decade, disabled journalist John Pring has meticulously pieced together how the DWP ignored pleas to correct fatal flaws in the social security system and covered up its role in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of disabled people. Having spent years researching the heartbreaking stories of twelve individuals who died, he describes how their bereaved families have fought for justice and accountability.
In this month’s episode, we speak to John about the idea of ‘slow violence’, how the pernicious myth of widespread benefit fraud was instrumentalised, and how a culture of cruelty and cover-up endured within the DWP over the course of successive governments.
You can read a full transcript of the episode here.