Petitioner moves to force government to publish benefit death statistics

by Benson Agoha | National Affairs

A petition by a resident of Kingston-upon-Thames is notching up supporters by leaps and bounds. The petitioner is seeking to force the government to publish the list of those who have died after their benefits were stopped.

Maggie Zolobajluk said she believed the public needs to know the full impact of benefit changes, especially as over 10,600 people reportedly died between January and November 2011 after their benefits were stopped.

"In 2012 the Department of Work and Pensions published statistics which showed 10,6000 [sic] people who had been receiving benefits died between January and November 2011", she wrote in her petition.

She said the figures caused an outcry, and while argument over the actual figures subsisted, Ministers then blocked publication of any updated figures.

"Now, thanks to freelance journalist and carer, Mike Sivier, The Information Commissioner’s Office has admitted there is no reason not to publish them. This appeal is the last hurdle to overcome to get these figures out in the public."

The petition, started a week ago on the Change.Org website is seeking 75,000 signatures to force Secretary of State for Works and Pensions, Ian Duncan Smith to withdraw his appeal and allow publication of the actual figures.

It has received enormous support, with over 52,800 signatures in just one week. A record 6,000 supporters signed in one day. But 22,107 signatures are still needed to reach the target.

To read the actual petition and show your support, please visit Change.Org or click on [ Benefit Death List Petition ].