MPs call for increased protections for vulnerable benefit claimants

A cross-party committee has called for enhanced protections for vulnerable benefit claimants after exposing 240 internal DWP reviews linking safeguarding failures to cases of death or serious harm, including fatal overdoses of Errol Graham and Philippa Day. The committee highlights a systemic issue where DWP prioritized cost-cutting over genuine care, resulting in widespread public distrust and numerous incidents of harm to claimants. It demands an independent scrutiny body to investigate such failures and ensures any legal duty for safeguarding vulnerable individuals is implemented, with a push for action beyond current consultation processes.