21 May 2024 , 23:01
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Tory ministers have been warned they face the “strongest possible action” as Britain’s equality watchdog launched a probe into the government’s treatment of disabled people.
The Chair of watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it suspects the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has broken equality law in how it deals with people with learning disabilities or long-term mental health conditions. "We are extremely worried about the treatment of some disabled benefits claimants by the DWP," said Chair Baroness Kishwer Falkner.
"We suspect the Secretary of State's department may have broken equality law. We have decided we need to take the strongest possible action and that's why we've launched this investigation."
In 2022 the EHRC drew up a legally binding "Section 23" agreement with DWP to force it to act on concerns raised about the deaths of vulnerable claimants. The agreement was never signed - and today the body said they had withdrawn from the process, launching the official probe instead.
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams said: "I welcome the EHRC's decision to use the full force of its powers and officially launch an investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions and the tragic deaths of vulnerable welfare claimants. It has been two years since the section 23 agreement issued by EHRC, yet we are no further forward with justice or accountability for deaths of disabled claimants. I am pleased that the EHRC have now said enough is enough and will be undertaking a formal investigation. I hope this can be done as a matter of urgency."
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Ms Falkner added: "Our investigation...will find out whether the DWP and the Secretary of State have breached equality law. If they have, we will use our unique legal powers to hold them to account."