Single mum who took fatal overdose after benefits cut one of many deaths being reviewed
Philippa Day, 27, from Nottingham, was found collapsed at her home beside a letter rejecting her request for an at-home benefits assessment, and died after two months in a coma
Updated
Philippa Day, 27, who took a fatal overdose in 2019 after her benefit payments were cut (Image: BBC)
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Reviews into 150 deaths and serious harms of people claiming benefits
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The Government has reviewed 150 cases of death or serious harm among people who were claiming benefits.
An investigation by the BBC Shared Data Unit has shown there were 144 internal reviews carried out by the DWP between 2012 and July, 2019 - when Justin Thompson MP, then Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work said an additional six reviews would be “conducted shortly”.
BBC News
By Alex Homer
image copyrightFamily handout
image captionPhilippa Day (pictured left with her sister Imogen) took a fatal overdose and died in October 2019
The family of a woman who took a fatal overdose after her benefit payments were cut say they have begun a legal claim against the government.
Philippa Day, 27, was found collapsed at her Nottingham home beside a letter rejecting her request for an at-home benefits assessment in August 2019.
It comes amid calls for a wider inquiry into the Department for Work & Pensions handling of cases.
The DWP said: When, sadly, there is a tragic case we take it very seriously.
The family of a woman who took her own life after her benefit payments were cut have began legal proceedings against the government.
Phillippa Day was found collapsed in her home in Nottingham in August 2019 with a letter beside her rejecting her request for an at-home benefits assessment.
The 27-year-old single mother was taken to hospital but never regained consciousnesses and died after two months in a coma.
Leigh Day, who represents Ms Day s family, have sent a letter of claim on the family s behalf to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Capita, the company engaged to carry out the PIP assessment.
The tragic North East Lincolnshire dads who took their own lives when their benefits stopped
There are now calls for an independent investigation into the deaths of benefit claimants who come under pressure in the system
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On Saturday, Grimsby dad Brian Bailey should have been celebrating his 62nd birthday with his family.
But on Tuesday July 17, 2018, he took his own life after apparently becoming overwhelmed by the benefits system.
His devastated daughter Leann told Grimsby Live at the time that she felt Universal Credit had effectively killed her dad - and called for changes to be made.