MP questions gaps in research into social security claimants and Covid-related deaths

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has challenged the Government to reveal what assessment they have undertaken to determine the proportion of people who have died whilst in receipt of social security, and who had an underlying health condition.

Ms Abrahams, who raised the issue during a House of Commons session questioning the minister for women and equalities, asked: “We know that people with existing health conditions are more likely to become seriously ill and to succumb to Covid-19 than the population as a whole.

“For example, more than one in four people, of all people who've died of Covid in hospital in England, also had diabetes. 

“So what assessment have the Government undertaken of the proportion of people with health conditions in receipt of social security support who've also died of Covid?”

Government minister, Mims Davies, responded: “I thank the honourable lady for raising a really important issue and DWP does look to identify and learn lessons very swiftly and the minister for disabled people is having extensive engagement conversations with charities and stakeholders on exactly these kind of issues so we can understand the impact on the most vulnerable.”

After the session Ms Abrahams said: “It’s clear from the minister’s non-answer that the Government hasn’t undertaken any analysis of their data to understand how many people in receipt of social security support have died from Covid-19.

"They must do this as a matter of urgency.

"I will be pushing the Government to make a statement on this.

“We already know that pre-Covid, people in receipt of Income Support or Employment Support Allowance were more likely to die than the population as a whole, because of their vulnerability.

"We also know that claimants have died after being found fit for work.

"The scandal of the inequalities that exist in this country have been laid bare from Covid.

“As we work to rebuild our country after the pandemic, we must examine every aspect of Government policy and their impacts on these inequalities which in turn affects people’s health.

"This includes understanding the impact of social security support.

“This complacency will lead to many more avoidable deaths and, once again, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who will be most affected.”

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