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Benefit system failing thousands of the most vulnerable
Guardian analaysis of evidence submitted to the Work and Pensions Committee’s Benefit delivery inquiry -
Britain’s social security system is failing thousands of its most vulnerable claimants, with delays and errors in processing welfare benefits leaving many sick and disabled people, including some with cancer, for months without income.
MPs have been told that long waits for benefit payments are the single biggest cause of food bank use, and are forcing claimants into debt and “survival crime” such as shoplifting, as well as triggering stress, mental illness and homelessness.
Charities and local authorities say the millions of pounds they spend providing advice and help to vulnerable individuals left in crisis by avoidable benefit delays is unsustainable, and they cannot “shore up” the system’s failings indefinitely.
The claims are contained in over 60 evidence submissions by frontline charities, food banks, councils, housing associations, private landlords, academics and individuals to a Commons select committee inquiry on benefit delivery which starts on Wednesday.
It’s an aside but it’s worth contemplating the use of the word “vulnerable”. It’s riven with problems and yet we and the media use it without a second thought.
http://www.thefword.org.uk/2014/11/what_does_it_me
http://jennymorrisnet.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/please-dont-talk-about-most-vulnerable.html