Runcorn woman Linda Morrall has published a letter she has sent to councillors at her local Halton Council about her daughter, Elaine.
Elaine died late last week in desperately bleak circumstances inflicted by the callous DWP’s (Dept of Work and Pensions) ‘consciously cruel’ sanctions regime. Warning, it is heart-breaking reading:
While most of Elaine’s circumstances were directly caused by government policies, Linda’s comments about ‘uncaring housing’ taking her to court also raise questions about council and/or social housing organisations policies and practices – and the letter certainly raises the issue of whether councils could do more to protect their residents from the effects of government policies, or if not, should be doing more to highlight those effects and their own helplessness to prevent them.
Ms Morrall is now believed to be faced with the responsibility of caring for Elaine’s children in such trying circumstances. A concerned local woman has set up a crowdfund to raise funds to help ease the burden. If you would like to contribute and send a message of support, please click here.
Halton Council has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
What happened to the inviolable right to human dignity?
Reblogged this on Hercules space.
Hey Skwarkbox,
Jonny Rotten had it right back in 1977 when he blasted out ‘God save the Queen and the Fascist regime’ from a boat on the River Thames. Urban legend tells that Sid Vicious urinated in the river in front of Westminster. So where is he now when we need him to make another blatant statement to those lording it up commonly to ‘piss off’, and have the moment go viral online for the world to see his response to tragedy?
Sadly, deeply regrettably, nothing ever really changes in the halls of power, government bull-shit goes round and round and round in circles and the ‘impartial’ DWP do nothing at all to change or develop the policies implemented even when they know the effect these policies are having. As others may have mentioned before the elusive smoking gun suggested at being present within the ‘framework’ of DWP will never be found, but sure as hell it’s likely to exist somewhere…and certainly mention of targets for sanctions has been made before. Perhaps then as well, targets for disallowances on new claims? Targets for disallowances of Reconsiderations? Targets for transitioning those from ESA to Universal Credit? Targets for successful Appeal outcomes? The list could no doubt go on and on. In every aspect the policies of government and those ‘guiding’ delivery of Social Security payments really do need looking at very closely indeed by Human Rights Activists, Human Rights Lawyers and Legal Teams from UK Charity Organisations who help pick up the pieces of broken lives. The consequences of austere, unethical, neglectful, non-inclusive and discriminating policy enforced by an ‘administration function’ leave thousands entirely vulnerable and others more desperate sadly moved to suicide. Certainly I would not want to have the job of being a Decision Maker for Social Security payments…I could not live with the consequences. Deaths attributed to or as a consequence of Social Security policy has to stop: there is no place for death through a governments deliberate wilful neglect, not in the UK in 2017 and it cannot be qualified, justified, or defended, it is dire. Indeed why isn’t it even called murder, or man-slaughter if it can be proven that policy was the main contributing factor to death as too its unethical immoral enforced administration? Should it ever be proven – and there are numerous newspaper reports, government commissioned reports, and articles written by leading UK Universities widely available highlighting the risks and consequences of removing Social Security provision but still it continues unabated. If those who put signatures on Welfare Policies could be held individually accountable…perhaps we’d see just how many politicians are then prepared to commit to policies that would have them legally punished as an individual should death or suicide occur.
There is no protective layer for the vulnerable, the weak, the humble and the homeless to act as a buffer between them and policy: they are at the absolute mercy of the godless, pitiless wilful neglect and indifference of this degenerate government and the power bases that control it. Persecution punishment and the expectation of servitude by the poor must stop. There should be no reason a government could reach for in defence of causing or being directly responsible for the death of a UK citizen. But sadly whilst democracy continues to be usurped by severe right-wing thinking, and laws protect the rich, tyranny will prevail and people will suffer whilst other will die. It is a disgrace.
My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and her family. Thank you sharing your tears. God Bless.
Namaste
DN
What a fabulous account of what is happening with this vile goverment,send this letter to number 10to read over tea n biscuits n live in hope they would choke on it
Hey Jackie,
Social Reforms are long overdue and urgently needed to reverse/repair the damage done to society, individuals and families at the hands of austerity and the insidious propensity to wealth acquisition (not wealth-creation) demonstrated time and again by a largely discriminating and incompetent government. Reforms to the Social Security System must ensure inclusivity not exclusivity of claimants currently restricted in their applications for social security payments by Assessment criteria that does not support or adequately represent those with mental health disorders and/or diminished mental capacity, or those whose lives are restricted because of disability. It is a managed system that is consciously biased and knowingly discriminates. In addition it is a system that is subject to enforcement by an administration function whose remit is to also help ‘develop’ government policy where it is seen to fail. Primary articles presented across the internet going back three or four years tell of government commissioned reports compiled by the DWP that are still not being acted upon despite a body of growing evidence and overwhelming public concern.
It beggars belief that in 2017 here in the United Kingdom anguish grief and suffering are occurring daily through wilful neglect and discriminating government Social Security policy. Laws defining both the process and delivery of Social Security requires an immediate positive response and dramatic change to the ideological, moral, and ethical notions freezing conservative minds the frigid black coffin of Whitehall.
God Bless. Take care Jackie.
Namaste 🙂
DN
She was “murdered” by the DWP , it’s as simple as that !!
This happened to me back in the 70s with the same government , don’t know how myself and my daughter stayed alive , my heart goes out to this family , RIP Elaine!
When will someone call for the prosecution of the DWP ministers? A number of coroners have come out and stated that the DWP played a role in the death of sick and disabled benefit claimants.
I am ashamed to live in a country where this is allowed to happen.
Reblogged this on groovmistress and commented:
Words fail me…
I agree with the point about the collusion of local Councils. I appreciate that they are between a rock and a hard place, obliged by central Govt to take on more and more responsibility to house and care for their residents but with decreasing funding. But, if they would only take a stand, direct the money to the front line where it’s a matter of life or death. Let the better off be directly affected by austerity. Until EVERYONE suffers through reduction in services and makes a fuss the poor will continue to bear the brunt. Instead of councils boasting at how they’ve kept the council tax down (for all except those on benefits) put it up! and when the people complain tell them why.
European Court of Justice?
And THEY (Toerag MP’s) complain of ‘abuse’?
Seriously – What else are they gonna be allowed to get away with?
I read this on a Halton facebook page last week and was shocked by it. Not because I didn’t know this was happening in the country, but because it was so close to home. This lady lived very close to where I lived as a teenager.
A couple of days before this, I read that a local newspaper had reported a man had been found dead on a street in Runcorn town centre. What they didn’t report was that it was a homeless man, one of an increasing number on living on the streets in Runcorn. In the past the police would know of people on the streets, but they would be found somewhere and quickly sorted out. This is no longer happening and people are living on the streets now with little or no hope of help.
While this is happening, what are the councillors doing to support local people? Halton council appear to put business before the people who need help.
Once again I have to ask where the PCS union were in all of this?
Or, at least what do they intend to do to at least TRY and prevent this sort of case (One of thousands a year like it, unfortunately and exasperatingly) happening time after time.
Short answers is nothing – if it doesn’t affect PCS. They can’t rely on the ‘box-ticking bureaucracy’ defence, nor the ‘nuremberg defence’ every single time, neither.
AFAIC, they’re complicit in carrying out this Govt’s fiscal & social eugenics agenda by sanctioning people. In my eyes, they are every bit as bad as the ‘kapos’ in the nazi concentration camps.
I’ve been saying for a long time this VILE, PUTRID Government is killing people. If your disabled or long term sick they just want you dead. There not only hurting the parents but the children to. Vulnerable little people born into this awful world and suffering. If this was a child or animal they would be arrested and sent to prison its pre-meditated murder. They know there pushing people to the limit and what can and does happen. It’s Genocide mass murder…and the government are getting away with it.
I can usually write at length about things I feel strongly about, but this is one of those times I’m lost for words.
And all this in the light of ultra greedy rich people being reported on in Panorama. They should be rounded up and taken to see how some people have to live (and die!) partly because they, the rich tax evaders, don’t pay their taxes here. Samuel Miller’s idea of prosecuting DWP Ministers (and add in Secs of State) is a great one. Perhaps one of those billionaire/trillionaire tax evaders would like to pay the legal costs. Unlikely. Failing that, we honest tax payers might like to contribute to those costs through crowdfunding, and engage some of those well known socialist lawyers and barristers to work for us.
Now is the time while the public are angry and the Tories are on the back foot.
I’m so sorry, this is. Shocking, what’s more shocking is, your daughter is not the only one, things have to change, these tories have thousands of people’s blood on their hands, why can’t labour push a vote of no confidence, this needs doing immediately, the tories are killing its organised genocide
If anyone who is reading this is on a low income and cant afford to pay their rent, you can go to your housing benefit office fill in a form and your housing benefit will be reinstated you do not need to be on benefits to receive this and sanctions make no difference you are still entitled to it. So sad for this poor lady and her daughter this should never have happened.
This did used to be the case BUT with the implementation of Universal Credit it is not that simple. To claim ANY benefit, even just HB alone, one has to do so through Universal credit. There are also councils who are refusing to acknowledge the “no income” declaration – my daughter works for a housing charity and tells me that even when they find a place for a client the local council/s are insisting on claimants having an income of some sort – whether benefits or earnings. It’s the same if you try to claim UC just for HB – the claim cannot be processed with a nil source of income.
I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THE TORIES ARE AN UNCARING BUNCH, NONE SO MUCH THAN THIS LAST CREW!
THE SNAP ELECTION WAS THE TIME TO GET COMPLETELY RID BUT THE VOTER DIDN’T!
WHAT DOES THAT TELL ME?
IT TELLS ME IN THE EYES AND EARS OF THEIR VOTERS THEY ARE AS BAD AS THEY ARE!
PEOPLE ARE DYING AROUND THEM BECAUSE OF THE DWP AND ALL THOSE WHO REPRESENT AND CARRY OUT THE TORY ATTACKS AGAINST VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE WORST OF HUMANKIND!
“I HAVE TO DO IT IT’S MY JOB”!
“NO YOU DON’T”, IF YOU ALL PUT TWO FINGERS UP TO THIS TORY GOVERNANCE!
STOP ATTACKING YOUR OWN FELLOW HUMAN WHO IS DESPERATE FOR HELP!
FASCIST, NAZIS EVER WORD ASSOCIATED WITH HITLER AND HIS PARTY, ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THESE TORIES!
Austerity is a political choice, not a necessity! Now it’s plainly laid out for all to see, if the super rich paid their taxes, there would be no need for austerity. This lousy unprincipled government has paid out millions, yes, millions to implement their criminal benefit changes, and many have died as a result. This poor mother has lost her daughter and her children their mother – why? So the rich can carry on, indifferent to the sufferings of the poor. What has happened to this country appals me – everyday I hear or read about unnecessary suffering and loss of life. This should be on the front page of our wretched right wing rags, and the BBC news. I hope the working class who vote Tory have finally cottoned on to the fact that Tories look after the rich. Never, ever, the working class. Wake up. Look around you. Homeless children on the streets of a once decent country. And a young sick mother has died needlessly- for want of a warm home, understanding and some compassion. Heartbreaking.