The Department - A Book Recommendation

Not entirely sure where to put this but as the book deals a lot with the WCA whilst PIP/DLA are secondary this seemed best!

I recently came across this book: “The Department - How a Violent Government Bureaucracy Killed Hundreds and Hid the Evidence” via the daily Politico Playbook newsletter as it was reporting that a copy had been sent to all 650 MPs. Decided to pick up a copy for myself and then read it in two evenings. The back page blurb reads as follows:

‘A must-read exposé of one of Britain’s biggest hidden scandals’ - Frances Ryan

‘Definitive proof of how government austerity hasn’t just harmed disabled people, it has killed them’ - John McDonnell MP

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.

I found it to be a compelling, if extremely upsetting and angering, read. I suppose the contents are likely to not be anything new to anyone who frequents these pages. I certainly recognized many of the things that were related from helping people deal with the DWP over the last decade.

But the power I thought was in seeing it laid out logically and in one continuous narrative. From the late 1980s through to the present day the decisions and their consequences for the most vulnerable people in society. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the subject but particularly to those who have not come across the DWP and its treatment of disabled and vulnerable people and are therefore potentially blind (and/or mislead) to it’s behavior.

In some respects in the cases it dives into in depth one the most heartbreaking things was the family and friends who were bewildered by how the DWP had failed their loved one so comprehensively. But why would they know that this is how the DWP regularly behaves unless they’re deep in it like ourselves? Anything to raise awareness of how callous the DWP is towards those it is supposed to serve has to be a good thing and this book I think does an excellent job.

It was also fascinating, as someone who came onto the advice since in 2013(ish), to see the history of the system that I’ve been elbow deep in for the last decade and quite how much of the wreckage we deal with has much longer roots than just the post-2010 administration.

It’s available direct from the publisher here but I’m sure it’s also available from other online book retailers.

I bought it direct from the publisher
Its a must read extremely well researched.
Please heed the warning at the front of the book because it is as harrowing as it is well researched